Church Words: Faith

Faith…such a strange concept. Hebrews 11:1-2 talks about it: 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

Faith just seems so foreign to us. We want to touch. We want to see concretely. We want the mathematical proof. But faith doesn’t work that way. It’s so ironic, that one of my favorite cinema examples of faith…is from an atheist (Carl Sagan). In “Contact”, Ellie (played by Jodie Foster) discovers an alien civilization and gets to explore the universe through plans shared with her from the aliens. She has an amazing experience, yet no “proof” is available. She knows she was gone for hours, traveling millions of light-years…but the video from earth shows her just being “gone” 8 seconds…with no video…just static. It is especially ironic, because she proclaims the entire movie about how she dismisses the concept of faith…and yet, at a hearing to discuss her experience, she has to admit that those around her must take her story “on faith.” We have to just trust her experience…”by faith”. The naysayers are mocking her…but there is evidence of her experience out there…”There were over 12 hrs of static…”

Is that like our faith at times? We know what we believe, maybe we have experienced something supernatural…but others can’t relate. Or sometimes even we so easily forget what we know… But there are glimpses of “something” out there, something other-worldly…just like that tape…

Look at these two explanations of faith: First, Matthew 17:18-20: 18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."[a]

Next, check out Philippians 4:13: 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Faith is hard to come by at times, believe me, I know all too well. Sometimes it seems natural, but sometimes…I have to almost “re-convince” myself of my beliefs. But I have had some experiences where the ONLY thing explaining what “just happened” was a faith-thing…and I realize no one else can truly accept it unless they have faith as well. But sometimes, it’s all too hard, or confusing, or boring, etc. But we need to often ask ourselves, “Why is it I believe?” I know some of you will say, “no idea, Ben!”, and hopefully that bothers you and makes you seek God. I know some say, “Well, I can’t articulate it…but I do believe and I do see little glimpses of God’s truth here-and-there.” That’s good! And some can even give detailed, long, passionate stories of God’s evidence in their life…of how they KNOW Jesus saved them from the pit…

So, do you have faith in the unseen? A CERTAINTY? Is your faith growing from something that may be small at first (or even now)? Do you truly believe that you persevere through anything due to your faith in God?

Things to Ponder

* What is the most miraculous, supernatural thing you’ve ever seen or experienced?
• Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed impossible? What happened?
• What does, “Faith of a mustard seed” mean?
• Is following God sometimes like being blindfolded?
• When has God answered your faith in some special way? Did your faith grow as a result?
• What “impossible” things does God want you to do?