Speaking of Life
Once in a Blue Moon
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A friend recently sent me a picture of the 2009 New Years Eve blue moon he took on his phone camera from his home in Southern California. The moon wasn’t actually blue, of course, but it was certainly a rare sight. A blue moon, which is a second full moon in one month, is a rare occurrence in itself, occurring only once every two-and-a-half years.
But a New Year’s Eve blue moon occurs only once every 19 years. That’s why the expression “once in a blue moon” refers to something that is rare, special, uncommon or strange, but not impossible.
Sometimes our faith can seem like a blue moon, appearing only rarely, then disappearing again. And as a result, we can feel afraid that God has abandoned us.
But salvation is not about the quality of our faith. It is about the power and love of God ministered to us from the Father by Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. It isn’t our faith that saves us; it is Jesus who saves us.
In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Going to Jesus for rest is something we can do even when our feelings tell us that God has forsaken us. We can’t trust our feelings, but we can trust God.
The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:33-35, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
It is God’s faithfulness that makes us who we are, and God’s faithfulness that saves us. It doesn’t depend on us; it depends on him.
Knowing Jesus is faithful, we can rest in his arms regardless of how faithful or unfaithful we are. How we are doesn’t change the truth that God loves us.
Despite our weak and wavering faith, the Faithful One forgives us, cleans us, and works in us through his Spirit to become more like Jesus, even when we feel alone and forsaken.
We won’t be sinless this side of heaven. But no matter how many times we fall down, no matter how many times we fail, we can always trust Jesus to pick us up and help us move on. He is and will ever be our faithful Savior, even if we only feel it once in a blue moon.
I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.
