The Gift of Faith Through Transformation
Guests who come to the Eugene Mission must ask themselves the same question – what am I willing to give up in order to gain a greater gift? Some people give up drugs or alcohol, others let go of isolation or an inability to accept help. No matter what we’re called to release, God is offering us something better if we have eyes to see the gift.
In this Christmas season, I’m reminded of the story of Jesus’ earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, and everything they had to surrender to properly steward a gift of incalculable value – their infant child, and our savior.
Mary had to let go of control of her own body and agree to carry a child before she was even married, a social risk in those days that could have cost her life. Joseph had to release his fears that Mary had been unfaithful to him and the vows of their betrothal. Even more, he had to release his doubts that her child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, (a wild tale to even the most faithful believer), and agree to parent a baby that was not his own.
As the story progresses, we see God reassuring them in miraculous ways that they made the correct choice to believe him and follow the path of faith. The angel who prophesied Mary’s conception also told her that her relative, Elizabeth, who had struggled with infertility, would become pregnant, and she did.
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!’”
Luke 1:40-42
Imagine such confirmation! Joseph also received a powerful word of encouragement from an angel who appeared to him in a dream.
“…Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20-21
In this season of miracles, we are celebrating miracles in our guests’ lives, like the moment a judge released a guest in the R3 program from his probation because of his willingness to let go of prison life, and prison mentality, to receive the better gift of God’s bounty.
We know we’re on the right path when our shackles are removed and we can walk freely again. There is no greater gift than the liberty we receive in Christ, and we use that gift to pay it forward through service and in gratitude.
It’s not a sacrifice to let go of the past when we know we have such blessings coming to us. As we look back on 2023, we are thankful for a year filled with both struggle and triumph, undergirded by a faith that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
May this season be filled with the Lord’s love, peace and joy!
In gratitude,
Sheryl Balthrop