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The trajectory of faith
by Adam Bennett Life is most complicated when it is uncertain. If there is only one road to choose our next step is easy to decide. It's when we must weigh several possibilities with unknown outcomes that our sleep is interrupted with worry. Spurgeon wrote that, "Ifs, buts, and perhapses, are sure murderers of peace and comfort." This is not only true of everyday choices but even more so in matters of faith. James said that, "the doubter is like a wave of the sea tossed hither and thither by the wind. A man like that should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. He is always in two minds and unstable in all he does." (James 1: 6-8 REB) The verse is sometimes misinterpreted, especially those who follow 'word of faith' teaching, to suggest we need to banish every negative feeling and word if our faith is to be effective. Faith is not a mystical incantation that can be undone by our feelings of uncertainty. This is teaching more akin to witchcraft than prayer! The point instead is that we can't live with two minds. We cannot simultaneously follow two pathways travelling in opposite directions. A doubter then in this context is someone who has not set their life on a single course toward God. I think it is helpful to think of faith as a trajectory. That's why we can read of the father who came to Jesus to ask for healing for his son who said, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24 NIV). His unbelief did not unsettle the firm trajectory of his belief. So, if we would have certainty and peace in our life we need a single minded determination to seek God. Copyright Adam Bennett 2009. More articles are available at http://godward-thoughts.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |