What is faith exactly? Well, you answer, that was covered in the book of Hebrews: the essence of things hoped for the substance of things not seen. And that answers that, right? It sure does when things are going very well, life is in its proper balance and we can see clearly. What about those days when life, as they say, “goes to hell in a handbasket”? Those days, faith is way in the back of your mind, replaced by fear, hopelessness, and worry.
When the times are tough, someone is always willing to say these very irritating words, “You just have to have faith” or “It only takes the faith of a mustard seed you know.” These are always voiced by people who are in a good place in their lives at that moment. Sadly, those words come across as an accusation, not a hope for better times. It is as bad as saying, “well, everything has a purpose”. That also is a lie. In life things just happen. Accidents, illness, and yes, even faithlessness.
I believe the Eternal One loves it when we are faithless. It is when the best work of the Sacred gets done. We have been taught, in church, that we initiate faith and that is just not true. God initiates even our own faith. Let me cover that again, faith, like salvation, like love, all comes from God. Not me and not you and not our church. From God. That makes me pause and rethink faith and how I go about it.
The promise is that God will always be there, in all places, at all times. The scriptures say that nothing can separate us from the love of God. So let’s go back: the essence of things hoped for and the substance of things unseen. God’s great love for us! So faith is not something I acquire, it is a gift freely given and all I have to do is unwrap it, enjoy it, and express it best I can every day.
Advent is that time of the year when it is really dark, life is going out of the world and all we get is a little Spark of light to give us hope. That is why we have lights on trees and houses, to remind us that as dark as the world might be, there is always enough light to find our way. To find our way back to our faith, to the Provider of all faith. What do I hope for? Love from the One who calls me Beloved. What is the substance of things unseen? All of those times when I didn’t think I could go on, when there was no light left, and I cried out to be held by the one who loves me most, the Eternal creator of all. Including my faith.
During these days of advent, it isn’t up to us to believe and have faith, it is up to us to let faith have us. To remember all of the promises across all scripture, God is faithful. NOT us, God! There, I said it out loud (well sorta), God is Faith. When we trust (not the same as faith) that we are Beloved, then Faith finds its way back into our consciousness. It was never gone, as the Eternal is never gone, we just didn’t have enough light to see it.
TMM