So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Someone recently asked me, “what did you mean when you said that we would be stretched in our faith in 2026” during your pastor’s report? It’s not unusual for any of us to feel a bit apprehensive when we hear that our faith may be “stretched.” Being “stretched” means there’s some form of pain that’s on my path ahead. And that means change. But being “stretched” is a part of life. We “stretch” our dollars to go further on a tight budget. We “stretch” our muscles before exercise to reduce injury. We take on a new responsibility at work. We take a class that’s really hard but necessary. When God widens, deepens and lengthens our faith, we’ll find His sanctifying work often hard to endure but necessary. Maintaining “status quo” in our Christian walk is not biblical. Not seeing changes in our Christian life over a period of a year or several years should be a warning sign to us. That means we may not be walking in obedience. That’s why the Bible commands us to grow or mature in Christ. We can’t stay the same. When the Macedonian believers were commended for giving beyond their means, Paul urged them to still “excel” even more in their giving (1 Cor. 8:9). James urges us to “count it all joy” when we experience trials in life (Ja.1:2). To follow Jesus, we must lose our life (Mt. 16:25). We’re to be continuously transformed in our minds by being “tested” so that we can discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God (Ro. 12:2). We’re to grow in the way we love each other (1 Thess. 3:12). To be a Christian is to be “stretched” continuously. That’s the biblical way. Next time you find yourself being “stretched” in your faith, refuse to make excuses to “maintain” or stay on the easy road. Instead, welcome whatever is “stretching” you as a friend from God’s sanctifying hand.
