It was time to renew my passport. New photos taken, check; references obtained and verified, check; and forms filled out, check. I determined that the quickest way to obtain a passport would be to visit the local Service Canada office. Upon arriving, I discovered a full office with 50 people standing in the passport line. I resolved to try another day. At 8:30 the next morning, I joined 15 others in line. After ten minutes, I was told at the screening point, "Because you have a passport that is still valid, you will have to include it in the application." Strange, I thought that my passport was in the envelope. Now I had an even bigger problem — a missing passport!

At home, thinking it through, I remembered putting the passport in the envelope with all the other documents. If I had inverted the envelope, the passport, being the heaviest item, would have fallen out.

Back I went to the shopping centre where the Service Canada office is located and retraced my steps. It was not at the grocery lost and found. Finding an information booth, I asked, "Did anyone turn in a passport yesterday?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, one was turned in. We gave it to the Service Canada office." Some Good Samaritan had found it. I did not want to get my hopes up, because several hundred people visit that office each day. After giving my details to an agent, I was presented with my passport! I thanked God for His intervention and for saving me from having to go through the process of reporting and replacing a lost passport. The third day, I returned to the office and submitted all the documentation for a new passport.

Four times I went to the Service Canada office — why? This is the kind of question that almost everyone wonders about at some time. For reasons that we may never understand here on earth, it is not always in God's plan for our problems to be speedily resolved nor for us to know what other issues or even disasters that He may have saved us from by those delays. As Christians, we are called not to depend on our own understanding but to trust in God's timing. Whenever we encounter a situation that we deem frustrating, let us remember that God is working behind the scenes.

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to remember that the things which we consider obstacles or inconveniences are part of Your plan, which we cannot see or comprehend. You may be saving us grief or have other reasons why things do not work out as we would see fit. Help us to remember that You have everything beautiful in Your time. Amen. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Last week, my fiancé and I experienced the opportunity of a lifetime. We visited Yellowstone National Park. All around us were tangible indications of God's creation: grazing bison creating traffic snarls, blue pools of boiling-hot water, steam venting through the earth — giving the topography a lunar effect — bubbling mud baths, and the crowning glory: witnessing the eruption of Old Faithful.

Old Faithful is a cone geyser. It is so well known because of the predictability of its eruptions. Each eruption lasts between one-and-a-half and five minutes. The longer the eruption, the longer the duration before the next eruption. Durations between eruptions are between 61 and 95 minutes. Heights of eruptions vary from 100 to 180 feet. Each eruption expels enough water to provide a North American family with three weeks of water usage!

What, you might ask, do Old Faithful and these scientific facts have to do with faith? Quite a lot, actually. Old Faithful is a great parallel for today's verse about faith being the evidence of things not seen. For approximately an hour, all that can be seen is a vacant cone on the earth, but underground, superheated water is filling the cavities. As the time of the eruption nears, the "evidence" begins: first, steam, then, bits of spouting water, and then, the major eruption. Isn't this like God? Even when nothing appears to be happening in our lives, God is always working below the surface, unseen. There are times when we cannot see nor feel God, but that does not mean that He is absent from our lives.

I go to today's verse often, in the midst of trying circumstances. The first phrase of the verse — "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for" — is so beautifully poetic and inspirational. The second stanza, though, is a bit more difficult: "the evidence of things not seen". How can we have evidence in things unseen? In our society where cries of "fake news" are common, we want facts, figures, and credible information sources.

Psalm 18:25a – To the faithful you show yourself faithful. (NIV)

God is faithful to us, and we are called to show faithfulness to our God. However, there are times when we turn away from God's teachings and from our faith because of doubt, self-sufficiency, fear, and limited understanding.

2 Timothy 2:13 – If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. (NLT)

This promise from our Father is wonderful news, that He remains faithful always. Let us endeavour to return the favour!

Prayer: God, help us when we doubt, when we display self-sufficient tendencies, when we demonstrate fear, and when we rely on our own limited understanding. You have promised to be with us always and never to leave us nor forsake us. During the times when You are not visible in our lives, like when Old Faithful appears to be sleeping, remind us that if we are patient and wait, You will show Yourself again in our lives. Amen.

Matthew 19:14 – But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (NKJV)

Last Sunday in church, a young father sat in front of me, holding his beautiful baby son. This little child is about nine months old. He is cherubic, with red hair, beautiful blue eyes, and the most wonderful smile. Throughout the service, I would glance at this little child and receive the most enormous smiles.

Reflecting on today's verses, I thought about what this little boy brought to church: smiles, giggles, and joy. Then, I turned my attention to what we adults sometimes bring to God's house: grumbling about the temperature in the sanctuary or the length or relevance of the service, anxiety about needing to catch someone after the service, complaining about the noise that the children make, or absenting our minds from the sermon while instead making mental to-do lists. These characteristics, discontentment, impatience, and sometimes dourness, are the exact opposite of what this precious boy brought.

Then, I thought about the incident where the disciples tried to prevent children from coming to Jesus, and He encouraged childlikness. There are many positive attributes which children possess. This little boy not only exuded joy, but spread this quality with his wonderful smiles. This young one was completely trusting of the security that he felt in his earthly father's arms. Children are like sponges soaking up new information. To them, learning new things is wonderful and exciting. Children are so resilient and adaptable. While disruptions in daily routines may temporarily induce crankiness, it is not long before children adapt to new situations.

How much more fulfilled we would be if we became like little children and brought to church:

• a joy that is spread to others,
• a trust in God's Word and guidance,
• an open attitude to learning, and
• a willingness to adapt to new ways of doing church.

Prayer: Dear God, forgive us when we mentally chastise children for speaking up in church. These precious members are both the present and the future of our congregations. Instead, help us to reflect on all the qualities that we sometimes let fall away from our lives. Help us instead to retrieve our own childlike qualities and especially to picture ourselves resting securely in Your arms. For, as You have said, if we do not become childlike, we will not enter Your kingdom. Amen.

Perhaps you are familiar with one of the times when Jesus and the disciples were crossing a body of water. Jesus was asleep in the boat when a bad storm arose. In a panic for their lives, the disciples woke Him up.

Luke 8:24b-25a – He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. (NIV)

I recently heard Jesus asking me, "Orlanda, where is your faith?" I was struck by how the story of the stormy water applies in general to the storms of life, and how His reply also instructs us where to look for the answer to life's many difficult and dangerous situations. I have heard this echo in a very special friend, new to Christ, who has repeatedly said to me, "We have to trust; we have to have faith." I can see you nodding your head and echoing, "Of course, we have to have faith. This is the essence of our belief as Christians." Practically, though, what does faith mean when we find ourselves in sad and difficult situations?

Two Bible verses came to me as I pondered this question. First is the biblical definition of faith:

Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)

Aha! Yes, faith is believing that God has this — no matter how nonsensical, no matter how painful, no matter how personally difficult this situation may be. God sees the unseen evidence that causes all of this to make sense in His plan. Here is the second verse:

2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJV)

I find it helpful to insert "and not by emotion" at the end of this verse. The times when we may cry out, "Where are You, God? Why are You not answering my prayers?" are exactly those times when we need to walk by faith. Just because we cannot "feel" God does not mean that He is absent. Let us walk by faith in this world until we can see God in the next world!

Friends, are you, like me, stuck in a situation of loss — whether to health, finances, grief of physical loss, or separation? Can you hear our Saviour asking you, "Where is your faith?" If you, like me, find yourself in this situation, I would suggest that we first penitently pray Daniel's prayer:

Daniel 9:19a – O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! (NKJV)

Then, let's claim the promises that we have:

Philippians 4:5b-7 – The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Pray with me:

Prayer: O Lord, as I pray Daniel's prayer, forgive my unbelief, when my heart disconnects from the faith in my head. Give me strength to focus on Your Word, Your will, and Your way. Help me to trust; help me to have faith in You and Your plan for me. You are all-wise, all-seeing, all-knowing. Even when things are difficult and do not make sense to me, You are always there in control, and You have a plan. All will be well: You will never forsake me. Amen.

This walk brought to mind the parallel between the sun's course and our lives in the Christian faith. Living our lives here on earth, we — like the weather — are subject to periods of tranquil beauty and also to storms and wind. One day, sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly, our earthly lives are brought to a close. Like the sun, our lives slip below the horizon and out of view. As Christians, though, we know that like the sun, we will rise again, for we claim Christ's promise of everlasting life.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Even though our lives may have slipped below the horizon out of earthly view, we know that this is not the end. We cannot see life eternal, but we know that there is life everlasting because we are promised this in the Bible.

Are you grieving the loss of someone dear to you? Are you discouraged watching special friends or relatives coming to the end of their days on earth? Remind yourself that Jesus Christ died and rose again for us, so that we can live forever! Remind those loved ones that Jesus Christ gave His life as a sacrifice so that the sins of those who believe in Him could be forgiven. We can all live forever if we claim Him as our Saviour!

John 5:24 – I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear God, You have given us so many beautiful gifts to enjoy here on earth: our families and friends, the beauty of Your creation, the animals and the birds, changes in weather, the sun that brings heat to our earth, and the refreshing rain. Most importantly, You have given us Your Son. We have wept with Him as His body was beaten and crucified for us. We have rejoiced with Him as He rose triumphantly from the dead. Now we claim the promise of the life everlasting. Each day as we witness the rising of the sun, help us to remember that after our lives here on earth are concluded and out of view, the lives of those who trust Him are just beginning in heaven. Amen.

I walk for stress relief and exercise. I also daily thank God for my numerous blessings. I believe that God has called me to minister to those who are grieving, ill, and struggling. However, the other day, I was having a pity party. I resented all the COVID-19 restrictions placed on me. I felt depleted, defeated, and lonely. Evidently, God felt that it was time to end this pity party, as I clearly heard Him say, "Who touched me?"

Vividly appeared the Mark chapter 5 description of the woman healed of a terrible bleeding disorder and cowering at Jesus' feet. God had my attention. What did the story of this woman's extraordinary faith have in common with my feelings? What did God want me to share in my ministry? Several possibilities flooded my mind, but none seemed to answer my unspoken questions.

As I thought about the woman's faith, I wondered how people without Christian belief are coping during this pandemic. When unbelievers come to the end of their rope, when there is no more physical or mental energy left, what do they do? Then, I received the answer regarding what God wanted me to share!

God has richly blessed me. He has given me physical health, mental resilience, a strong faith, the strength to cope with stress, and the ability to connect with people both in person and in word. Yet, during these days of COVID-19, even I have been challenged some days simply to put one foot in front of another. I know that many reading this devotional have been in the same place. God wanted me to remind you to reach out and touch Jesus to re-invigorate your energy reserves. When we come to the end of our own proverbial rope, it is okay, because we, unlike our secular friends, do not have to rely on our own strength.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

When we run out of our own strength, we need to reach out in thought and prayer to God. His strength will carry us when our own is depleted.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the many blessings that You grant to us — blessings of faith, health, and the basic necessities of shelter and food. Particularly during this pandemic, we are mindful that so many of Your children lack some or all of these blessings. Remind us, God, that when we run out of our own emotional energy, motivation, and physical strength, we need only reach out to You to replenish our limited resources. Alone, we can accomplish very little. With You, Lord, we can do all things. Amen.

This is a familiar passage from a well-known story of 2000 years ago. Fast forward to today: You have just sent a tweet which features a picture of a majestic star:

Fellow scientists and academics, we have been charting the course of this star for several days now. There is no scientific explanation for this star. I believe that this star fulfills the prophecy quoted in Numbers 24:17a – "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A star shall come out of Jacob; A scepter shall arise out of Israel." (NKJV) I am planning a pilgrimage to follow this star. The journey will take us far and will be difficult. We will take gifts and go and see the King! Please private message me if you would like to join the adventure.

Who do you think would reply to your tweet? Most people would probably think, "What a nut job!" Oh sure, a few thrill-seekers might want to join you, but would there be anyone who would have sufficient faith to believe that a King was being born to fulfil an ancient prophecy?

There are actually more questions than answers about the magi. Were they wise men or kings? How many were there? Did they travel on camels or horses? Where in the east did they come from? Despite these many questions, we do know that on faith, they undertook a difficult journey through deserts and mountains. They were confident that they would find the Christ Child, and they brought valuable gifts to worship Him. Who would do this — embark on a journey of hundreds of miles based on … faith!? They departed bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not items that everyday folk had sitting in their homes. Surely, there must have been pomp and ceremony attached to the preparation of the journey and the gifts. If they failed to find the King, they would return humiliated. Yet, no doubt is reflected in today's passage, only confidence that they would go, they would find, and they would worship the King.

We are poised to launch into a new year. Some of us eagerly await the joy of a new year, while others can barely wait to leave behind 2020 — a year of much pain and loss. Some will enter the coming year with trepidation. What will medical tests reveal for me? Is it possible to mend my broken heart? Lord, how will I survive with no job?

Jesus asks us, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith." (Matthew 8:26 NKJV) We now know that the magi found the Christ Child and did indeed have the opportunity to worship Him. Let us consider the faith example of the magi and enter the new year confidently, worshipping our Lord and knowing that God will be beside us no matter what we encounter.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are about to give us the gift of a new year on this earth. Help us to enter this year, worshipping You, confident in Your love and support. No matter what our situation, may we feel Your omnipotent, powerful presence, and know that all will be well, no matter what awaits us. Amen.