Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. “And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68–69, LSB
Faith is a difficult thing to explain to those who don’t have it. I struggle when people call it a choice. I know that I was not the one who chose. I was chosen by God. This is true for all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. When the Holy Spirit resides in you, it seems like an odd thing to deny God. That doesn’t mean we don’t rebel, but if we were to sit and ponder our rebellion truly, we would probably see ourselves as pretty silly. Fatherhood has taught me a lot about how I must look when I am upset at God, as I am sure that all parents, if they take a moment and pause, would relate. I think of the things that my children have said when they didn’t agree with something I said or when they were being disciplined. I think that must be how God sees me when I have my little temper tantrum, pack up my faith sack, and act like I am going to run away if He doesn’t change His mind. Unlike my failures as a parent, God is unfailing and always fair. Like John, all we can say is, “Where am I going to go, God? There is only one of You, and You are just. Unlike me.”
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.