Faith

I woke up this morning, as I often do, with a hymn in my head. It was an Easter hymn, #209, "We walk by faith". Then I was scrolling through my Instagram and ran across this Daughters of the King post: "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." - Saint Augustine

Hmmm. To reflect on "faith" is my task today. There are certain things about the kingdom of God that we will not understand on this side. Why do the innocent suffer? Was there really a virgin birth? Did Jesus really walk through walls to appear to people after the resurrection? Why were we given free will so that Adam and Eve had the option to sin in the garden? I don't know.  And I don't trust the statements of anyone who claims to know the mind of God. I like the quote by Anne Lamott in Plan B, "The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty."

So living this earthly life in faith of a heavenly kingdom requires letting go of control. I am drawn to my denomination because there is room for doubt and questions. We believe a healthy faith community creates a safe space for discussion and is enriched by diversity of heritage, lifestyle, thought, and opinion.  May our experience, study, and worship strengthen our faith.

Hymn 209

We walk by faith, and not by sight;

no gracious words we hear 

from him who spoke as none e'er spoke;

but we believe him near.

We may not touch his hands or side,

nor follow where he trod;

but in his promise we rejoice;

and cry, "My Lord and God!"

Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

and may our faith abound,

to call on you when you are near,

and seek where you are found.

that, when our life of faith is done,

in realms of clearer light

we may behold you as you are,

with full and endless sight.

Amen