For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
Romans 3:28
Faith is trusting God’s promises as Christ did, even unto death. Faith is my son who at age 2 jumped off the top rung on the barnyard fence into his daddy’s arms with no doubt that he would catch him. Faith is throwing ourselves into the arms of God in all of life’s situations. Faith is what draws us into God’s work in the world.
A great story about faith is the story about the Great Blondin. Charles Blondin was a French tightrope walker and acrobat. He toured the United States in the 1800’s, and was known for crossing the 1,100 ft. Niagara Falls Gorge on a tightrope. The rope was just two inches wide and spanned the width of the gourge, 160 feet above the raging water of the falls. Merely walking across wasn’t enough for Blondin though. On his first attempt, he stopped midway to pull up a bottle of wine from a boat below and had a small drink standing above the dangerous waters. One of his acts included pushing a wheelbarrow filled with a sack of potatoes as he crossed. After he did it he asked the crowd, “Who believes that I can carry a person across in his wheelbarrow ? The crowd yelled, “We do! We believe!” Then he asked, “Who will get into the wheelbarrow?” Well that was different. No one volunteered. No person risked their life taking the ride with Blondin.
Faith is no armchair business. Faith is getting in the wheelbarrow with Jesus knowing that you will be safe even though the journey may be life threatening. Faith is not believing creeds or doctrines. Our creeds are there to remind us of the depth of God’s love and commitment to save us. Faith is putting our trust in this living God who loves us completely, in life and in death. Faith is Abraham believing God’s absurd promises. Faith is Moses standing before Pharaoh and knowing that God will act according to his promises. Faith is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, “Lord let this cup pass from me, but nevertheless not my will, but your will be done.” In short, faith is throwing ourselves into Jesus’ wheelbarrow come hell or high water without a doubt that he will keep us in his loving arms. And you know what? It is an exciting journey. We never know where it might lead us, but we know that God is with us every step of the way.
Questions
- What faith stories do you have? Write them down and share them with others. I would love to hear your faith stories.
- When and how has your faith been tested?
Sue is NLS Spiritual Director, since 2019 and is a retired Lutheran Pastor (ELCA). Active in VdC since 1995, she has served two terms on the Board of the Texas VdC Secretariat, and also on the Texas Gulf Coast VdC Board as Spiritual Director since its start-up in 2017.
