I've always been drawn to this scripture about the royal official who sought Jesus to heal his son. After spending two days with the Samaritans, Jesus continued to Galilee where, despite His saying that a prophet has no honor in his own country, the Galileans welcomed Him because they had witnessed His works in Jerusalem.
In this story, I see a reflection of my own faith journey. Unlike the initial hesitation we sometimes see in Scripture, my faith in Christ has become the bedrock of my existence. When I read about the official taking Jesus at His word and departing without demanding proof, I recognize that steadfast trust in my own life.
"Go, your son will live," Jesus told him. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
This resonates deeply with me. My relationship with our Lord Jesus isn't complicated at all by worldly distractions. I've worked diligently to orient my life toward eternity rather than temporary pleasures. The world doesn't tug at my heart at all because I've already decided where my treasures are.
Like the official who discovered his son began recovering at the exact hour Jesus had spoken, I've witnessed the power of faith in my own life. From Chrissy's illness to getting Kenia here from the Philippines. My trust in Jesus isn't contingent on seeing immediate results - it's founded on knowing who He is and that His word is truth.
I still stumble as a sinner, but that doesn't shake my faith. I understand that walking with Christ doesn't mean perfection; it means persistent devotion despite my human weaknesses. When I fall, I go to Confession, I get back up, and I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.
The official's journey from seeking a miracle to genuine faith inspires me to continue deepening my already solid foundation. Each challenge becomes another opportunity to demonstrate that I truly do not live according to the standards of this world.
Yet, I must remain vigilant. Satan is cunning in his deception, working subtly to pull us away from God's embrace. He doesn't often come with obvious temptations but disguises them as small compromises, minor indulgences that seem harmless at first glance. "This sin isn't so serious," he whispers. "Everyone does it. God understands. It's just a small thing." We must remember that the Epistle of James 2:10 states, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it,"
What appears insignificant to us, those "little" sins we rationalize away - are grievous in God's perfect sight. The enemy is masterful at minimizing sin's severity, gradually desensitizing us until we no longer recognize our distance from God. He tricks us into believing that our worldly focus isn't problematic, that we can serve both God and mammon, despite Scripture clearly teaching otherwise.
I've learned that satan's strategy isn't to make us renounce our faith outright, but to slowly dilute it with worldly values until it's unrecognizable. He doesn't want dramatic falls as much as slow drifts - because we rarely notice when we're slowly drifting away.
Lord, I thank You for the grace that has allowed me to build this unwavering trust in You. While I acknowledge my sinful nature, I remain grateful that You've helped me keep my focus on eternal treasures rather than worldly distractions. Continue to strengthen my resolve to live as one not of this world, awaiting the day when faith becomes sight.
One final thought:
When I consider my devotion and loyalty to Jesus Christ and my spiritual journey following Him, I'm reminded of George S. Patton's profound words: 'Live for something rather than die for nothing.' Embracing a life centered on faith in Jesus Christ infuses each moment with deep meaning and divine purpose - both in our earthly existence and throughout eternity. Material pursuits like grand multi-million dollar homes, enormous wealth, or self-centered comfort that swells up your pride may shine brightly for a season, but they hold absolutely no currency in eternity. By choosing Jesus Christ's path of love and purpose, we exchange temporal satisfaction for an everlasting legacy of meaning. Each day becomes an incredibly exciting adventure in faith, each choice an opportunity to build something that will truly endure beyond our brief time here. Leave a Legacy of Unshakeable Faith.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
