Faith! Faith, or Faith? How is Yours?
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible contains more than 500 references to faith. In Hebrews, Chapter 11, we find numerous examples of acts of faith in the lives of some of the “all stars” among God’s people. Then, in Matthew 17:20 and a similar statement in Luke 17:6 (RSV), we hear Jesus speaking about faith: “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.'”
I am thankful for all the stories illuminating the faith of others. The words of scripture help to guide me in my own life journey as I seek to be a person of faith. Yet, I must admit, there are still days when the needle on my “faith tank” approaches empty, and my guess is I am not alone in this experience. So, what do I...do we do?
A Parable of Life: I was able to get my driver’s license at age 14. In my first few years of driving, I would head for the nearest pump and refuel when the gauge reached empty. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons (distraction, money, in a hurry, forgetful), I would occasionally find myself coasting to a dead stop on the side of the road wondering how I could possibly be doing this yet again! Out of a combination of frustration, maturation and maybe even a little wisdom, I learned that it is important to refill my vehicle whenever I reach ¼ tank on the gas gauge. In a similar vein, I have learned that I need to keep my spiritual faith tank filled as well. For me, that means daily time spent in prayer, study, worship, praise and thanksgiving. Perhaps the most important word in the previous sentence is the word daily!
Questions for the day: What is the level of your “faith gauge?” How, and how often, do you refill your faith tank?
Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, page 235
