Pastor Bill Hayden
Can a person really live in confidence when there is so much confusion, conflict and distrust in the world? First, we must consider what it takes to build confidence within ourselves.
In my youthful days, I trained as a 400/800-meter distance runner and practiced every day after school with my teammates. During the weekends, I would run with a few close friends on the team who lived in the neighborhood. I soon realized the key to feeling confident in myself in order to compete was more than just practicing and competing against each other. It required a very good diet, proper nutrition, body muscle, strength, endurance, form, rest and a knowledgeable coach. These were essential in building physical ability and gaining confidence. There were three components which I fell short in… diet, nutrition and muscle which prevented me from achieving my full potential.
Secondly, had I been able to achieve all the physical conditions there were still the psychological aspect of competing. There were competitors who either ran too fast, too soon or others who held back too long before speeding up to overtake the leader or position themselves to make their final sprint. Sometimes a runner’s focus is diverted by outside influences and their heart is not fully engaged in the event.
Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser having the experience of living many years, under different conditions, I can say…Yes, I am confident. Even though I am week in physical strength, I am confident in the one I trust, who I know will help me finish my race to victory.
There are many who have entered the race of life and achieved a great deal of accomplishments and are still going strong physically. While others have become sidelined by illnesses, disappointments and the lack of desire to be coached by the greatest coach of all times.
We can all live with confidence in looking to the author and finisher of the faith that has been bestowed upon us through God’s Son Jesus Christ. He has achieved our greatest victory over death, hell and the grave… when He rose from the grave. So, today I live with confidence that He is able to keep that which I have committed to him throughout all eternity.
1 John 3:3 ESV “And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as he is pure.”
Let our love for others be motivated by a pure and sincere Heart.
If you need friendship, you can find it in our Chapel. Please join us at the Villages Community Chapel in Cribari Auditorium, every Sunday at 10 a.m. to be encouraged over the Word and enjoy a cup of coffee and cookies with friends. The chapel is a place for needs to be met, faith to be affirmed and new friends to embrace.
You can view our worship services on YouTube at Villages Community Chapel San Jose, CA.