“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” – Isaiah 40:31.

We as a community are currently reviewing our Strategic Map  with the intention of extending its outcomes to 2025. Despite all the distress in the Valley and around the world, we as people of faith still look to the future with hope to impact the lives of thousands in the coming years. Despite the haunting fears we still dream, face many uncertainties, settle disputes and direct our focus to a future of promise.

The daily distractions of the pandemic, global warming and international conflicts will easily take our eyes off the goals of GEIST, even as we commit to daily service. Our faith is often challenged with prayers to get by rather than prayers filled with hope. We lose sight of God’s sovereignty and forget his presence.

Several mornings over the last few weeks I have awakened hearing the question Jesus posed to Peter during a tumultuous occasion: “Why did you doubt?” During a tremendous storm the disciples watched the master walk across the sea. Somehow their eyes forgot the turmoil and witnessed the miracle of nature in Jesus, their rabbi. Peter’s focus was so sharp that he made a ridiculous request, shouting: “Master bid me to come!” Jesus responded come. Jesus’ word gave him hope that he could do something impossible—walk on water. He had witnessed many miracles, most recently the multiplying of bread to feed thousands, so he trusted the master’s word.

When he turned and gazed on the circumstances, he lost sight of Jesus and took sight of the storm. The storm washed away his faith and he began to sink. After grabbing him Jesus asked the question—the same question that many of us would hear today if we would listen carefully—Why do you doubt? This is a personal question, a question of the heart. Have all our plans, whether institutional or personal, been drawn into the sea? As a Christian university, have we lost sight of the living king’s presence as we gather to work and pray?

Though we be aware of the circumstances all around us, have we lost hope in the midst of this storm? Our GEIST is a prayerful direction for the future. Its goals present some challenges. But those challenges cannot be overcome if we live in our own fears and doubts. Our hope is in Christ’s wisdom to do a work throughout the Central Valley that will honor him. This work can only be done with our eyes on him. So, we will hope in the Lord, who is our strength. As Hellen Keller suggested: “Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” Let us continue to encourage one another that “with God all things are possible.”