 Growing up, my family always read the Christmas story before opening presents on Christmas morning. Some years, it was Matthew’s account. Other years, we read from Luke. But we never read aloud Matthew 1:1-17.
 In this season of viruses and political instability, I find myself thinking a lot about eternity. This world is not my home. And it can be hard for a young man like me to really embrace. After all, I look forward to what God has in store for me on this earth. Even still, at the end of the day, I know I’m not home yet.
 I started college three weeks ago.
I can’t tell you that it has been a great experience and that I love it because I don’t. I have cried every day. This past week, I was having a particularly rough day. I called a friend of mine, and I told her my struggles with college. She said to me, “Jordy, remember God’s promises for you.” After this phone call, I was reminded of Romans 4:20, which says, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised" (ESV). God promised Abraham that he and Sarah would have a son and that Abraham would be the father to nations (Gen. 17:15-16). “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb” (Rom. 4:19 ESV). At the time of this promise, Abraham was about 100 years old and Sarah 90 years old. I don’t know about you, but this would give me A LOT of reason to doubt God. But Abraham stayed strong in his faith. He believed that God would fulfill His promise. I have seen many of God’s promises for my life fulfilled over recent months. You see, I have had some bad experiences with relationships. This led me to proclaiming that I would never marry. Yet, I always prayed for my future husband and for a relationship that was glorifying to God. I prayed this because I knew that God had someone for me, even if my experiences made me anxious. What I’m trying to say is this: your present circumstances do not change God’s promises. Maybe you’re struggling with your job or your relationships. Or, maybe you are having a hard time transitioning into college like I am. God sees you. He sees your struggle. And He knows the desires of your heart. Trust Him and His promises for your life. “The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised” (Gen. 21:1 ESV). - Jordy  I’m slowly coming to terms with the realities of adulthood. In the past year, I’ve found myself paying for things like a cell phone and car insurance. And in four months, I’ll be getting married. Which means I’ll soon be paying for a home, electricity, water/sewer, and—well, you get it.
 There are times when, as Christians, we need to be reminded of God’s work in our lives. This week, I invite you to ponder Ephesians 2:1-10 with me. In this passage, we find what we have been saved from, how we have been saved, and why we have been saved.
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