How do you define "faith"? The dictionary says it's a "belief that is not based on proof" or "confidence or trust in a person or thing." And in Hebrews 11:1, Paul writes that faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." You may have committed that one to memory, somewhere in the dark recesses of the mind shaded by other important bits and pieces of the passwords to one million different accounts and the ever-important hits of the '80s (maybe that's just me).
Faith has always seemed to me to be something that you have to build, always reaching until someday you have it, you're sure and certain. And any lack of that certainty feels like weakness. I'll let you in on a little secret: I don't always feel sure or certain in this world. Don't tell anybody, OK? My sureness and certainty can change day by day, depending on where I am, what I'm doing, how I feel and how close I am to God.
Have you ever met a Christian superstar? You probably have. The superstar is the person in your church or circle of friends who faces overwhelming odds with grace, maturity, and unshakable faith. She appears to have no doubts or fears. The overachiever in me measures my faltering faith in mundane life against that person and comes up short. The feeling of faith is easy when life is easy or when you have those mountaintop experiences where you feel you can just reach out and touch heaven. I've been there and in those fleeting moments, I feel like my faith is enough. But in the everyday, that certain feeling of faith is harder to come by and I can be shaken and confused and come up short if I rely on emotions as my measuring stick. Over and over, I come up just a little short. And until now, I just knew that was a problem with me because I'm all about doing more, meeting goals, and crossing things off the list.
Whether you're an overachiever or not, struggle with doubt or have a permanent residence on the mountaintop, I have good news for you: faith is a choice, not a feeling. And you always have control over that choice. I've been lucky enough recently to work through a study called "Mentoring 101" and I was reminded again just what a blessing we have been given because our faith in Jesus Christ can be simple. I say "can be" because some of us (that would be me) make this Christian life so much harder than it has to be.
What if this is the definition of faith instead?
How does that impact your life? For me, it's a relief. Instead of being something that I build and lose or fall further behind, now I make a choice. Each situation, each day, I make a choice to live as though the Bible is true.
Faith is choosing to live as though the Bible is true regardless of
circumstances, emotions, or cultural trends.
I long ago accepted that this Christian life is based on a gift, salvation that comes through grace instead of works or checking off the list of rules and requirements. How then do I let myself get to the point of discouragement because I don't quite measure up? When I get to that point, Satan celebrates because when I am confused or fearful or critical of myself, I am less effective.
In Matthew 11, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So here's my paraphrase: don't make this faith thing hard or complicated when I've made it easy. And I understand that. And I believe it. Right here, right now, I'm on board. And in an hour or a day or a week, I'll probably be confused again. The world does that to us, right? Thank goodness being a Christian doesn't require us to always have it together and that Jesus already had a plan for that too. It's called community. It's your church and family and Christian friends and groups like Marketplace Connection. And for some lucky people, it's a special encourager called a "mentor." I've had a few in my life, people who were willing to spend the time to know me, counsel me, teach me, and support me. If you're one of those kinds of people, I'd like to say "Thanks. Keep up the good work."
How about you? Would you like to find a mentor? Or are you willing to invest in someone else to serve as a mentor? If you are willing to spend a little time, you can change lives. "Mentoring 101" is a simple study with profound impact. Send an email to marketplaceconnection@comcast.com and let us know you'd like to find a mentor or to be a mentor and we'll help you make the connection.
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