Strong spirits: faith
I have faith that my chair will support me. I don't need to keep checking.
What is faith? Do you have it? In what, or who do you put your faith?
We all have faith in something, or someone. I have faith that the chair I'm sitting in will support me. I don't need to keep checking. I just have faith. I have faith that the food I'm eating is safe and good for me. I have faith that my wife loves me.
And we all have doubts. At one time I doubted that I would ever see the Cubs win a World Series! I doubt that the government can solve my problems. I doubt that money is enough to make me happy.
When it comes to God, we also have faith and doubts. The author of Hebrews writes: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:1,6)
I took a step of faith when I was young to put my life fully in God's hands. And yes, I've had my doubts along the way. But no regrets. I invite you to take that step of faith, too.
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
