Recently my family and I traveled to the Tetons in Wyoming for a camping vacation. It is amazing how being in the presence of such natural grandeur- massive crags of geological projections softened by a carpet of wildflowers scattered among the pines and aspen – causes you to stop and reflect on how your very essence is but a minute part of a much grander scheme. Many were the occasions during this trip where I experienced the fullness of a Creator who wished to express His love through the very matter which surrounded me, and I was emotionally overcome by the offer. It often seemed at times that His presence in the abundance of creation was merely the vehicle to announce my being upon a platform which no other entity could occupy. Deep spiritual stuff, right? Maybe.
There is a passage in the book of Mark where Jesus is dealing with the exorcism of a demon from a young boy which could not be handled by his disciples. The father of the boy asks Jesus, if it was possible, could he help. The response that occurred at this moment from Jesus is, “‘If I possibly can!'” replied Jesus; “why, everything is possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe: strengthen my weak faith.”(Mark 9:23-24)
This is the story of every one of us. We know all things are possible with God, but our life definitely does not portray this. We simply ask for God to supplement our weak faith so that we may believe. What surprises most people is knowing that the word which the bible uses for faith and belief is the same word, Pistis. Most have thought to believe is something different from having faith; however, it is the same thing. Statements like, “I believe less today than I ever have,” or “My faith today is greater than it has ever been,” are using the same word to describe the nature of the exact same things: the hope of things which can’t be seen.
Today, at this stage in my life I have come to believe in really two things found in the Bible: that God is love, and that Jesus died on the cross. Everything else, all the stories, doctrines and dogmas they have subsequently created, they are part of the faith journey I’m on. Yes, I recognize that from the previous paragraph I have employed the same word to describe two very unique conditions.
From my point of view, a belief can be validated, it has real hard material evidence. I know that God is love simple because in the depth of my deepest, darkest moment of despair, when all hope had vanished, when there was no faith to be seen, felt or even considered, He reached down and covered me in His pure golden liquid honey of love. That is my evidence which no one will ever be able to deny or take away from me. That experience has become a vital aspect of my very being, my essence.
The evidence of Jesus dying on the cross is likewise validated by multiple witnesses across a broad spectrum of society from that day. This makes it an important event even though there were a multitude of crucifixions conducted during the life of Jesus. His however, was acknowledge by others who weren’t even his disciples. Therefore, I can believe this event happened; the evidence supports it. This belief too, is a vital aspect of my being.
As I’ve stated the rest, in my opinion, requires faith to apprehend it. Don’t get me wrong here, I’ve taken my long draughts from the well of many a doctrine and dogma. They are, regrettably, in my opinion, too much work to maintain. I haven’t dismissed any of them, yet I feel more confident recognizing that I just can’t see it, so faith is what it must be. When it is revealed to me, then I can fully believe it. Maybe, like the father who came to Jesus, I can proclaim what I strongly believe and accept in some areas my faith is weak. Either way, I know that God is pleased with me – a fact which some of those doctrines and dogmas are hard pressed to accept.
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