Faith is an Amzing Thing

When we speak of faith, we tend to speak of it as something absolute. I have heard many people say they have to build their faith, and often I have heard people say they have no faith is this or that, in him or her. In this way faith is either there or it is not, or so it seems. On the other hand, when you think of faith it seems to be something that is more flexible than water, stronger than steel, and perhaps faster than a speeding bullet - but what is it? I have heard people say of others he or she is a person of faith, and although I understand what they mean, somehow faith remains loosely defined.

Often faith is referred to as some sort of religious identifier. Are you Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or perhaps not religious, but spiritual, what is your faith? There is a scripture in the bible that reads; "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not yet seen." Heb. 11:1 Does this mean faith is solely a Christian privilege because this definition is Biblical? As a Christian, is "my faith" in God any different from that of my friends whose "faith" may be in Allah, Buddha, crystals, or the universe? Is faith "only" a religious concept? How does faith work? How do you use it, abuse it, explain it, teach it, and share it? How is faith measured, and how do you (and I) faith better?

By definition, whether you are black, white, short, tall, fat, thin, married or divorced, gay or straight, rich or poor, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, religious, or spiritual, faith is no different. It is a condition of life used by all people everywhere, always. It is simply "... the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not yet seen." Using this definition, we can say faith is the exercise of self towards an un-manifested reality, the detectable energy signifying desire. If this is so, then faith is the matter used to approach and sit in a chair, just as it is the substance we use to cross a street? How much faith is there in flying from New York to France, and when we turn on our gas stoves what roll does faith play in doing so?

Once we take "faith" out of the clouds of religious mystery and place it in the hands of practical application, it becomes something worthy of serious exploration. My good friend Pastor Brian Bajri says, "Faith is a gift that empowers you to become the deepest self you are called to be." But what is it? What are its components, and since we have no choice whether or not to use it, how do we faith better? There is faith in God (spiritual faith), faith in self (personal faith), and faith in other people and things (public faith). Which faith do I use and when?

When you think about it, faith involves imagination, understanding, knowledge, obedience, and trust to name a few. The way to better, stronger, and more complete faith is a road easily talked about, but perhaps not easily traveled. How can we faith better if the idea of faith, its components, and application are not explored from a very practical perspective?
For the next few weeks, each Sunday at 10:00 a.m., faith will be the topic of discussion at "The Living Room," 950 Cass Street, Monterey. I invite you and your friends to come by and join us for this very exciting time of growth and exploration. “The Living Room” is a non-denominational, multi-religious gathering, which utilizes an abundance of responsible sources, for the promotion and pursuit of well-being for all persons.

Pray and meditate daily...it makes a difference.