Recently, I was struck by the word “faithful.” I couldn’t help thinking that faithful must mean, “full of faith.” Okay, that made me realize that it’s unlikely I’ve ever been “full” of faith. I’ve had some faith, but I’m probably down a quart or two most of the time, when it comes to “full” faith. I do like the Hebrews 11:1 verse that says, “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.”
I think I understand that idea. After all, that’s the faith by which I perceive the world, and even my family and friends because I have hope. My hope isn’t just whimsical or magical. It’s a hope based on the awareness that I am not in control and that God truly exists. Therefore, I believe many things that are still upside down in the world, can be turned right side up again. I feel sure God is with us, so I have hope, and that hope makes me want to have more faith.
I cling to this scripture from Deuteronomy that says, “So know that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God. He will keep his agreement of love for a thousand lifetimes for people who love him and obey his commands.” It reminds me that even if I have rocky faith, God doesn’t. He is forever faithful. He does not forget who we are. That idea encourages me to look for God in all things.
So if I have hope, and if God is faithful, than I have to actually want my faith to grow. Now, that’s a challenge. What will help fill up my faith quotient? Part of the answer has to do with the condition of my heart and my spirit, and the truth that I want to carry around with me. If I want faith to be my anchor, than I have to learn everything I can about it. That means I read God’s word and seek His direction. It means I trust Him when things look bleak, and I turn to Him when I don’t have any answers for the circumstances around me. To be full of anything, I have to do everything I can to discover it, trust it, and gobble it up. I have to immerse myself in it because just giving it a casual glance will never get me where I want to go. My fuel gauge will always be running on empty. Faith has to be active and running for it to ever get to fullness.
Finally, Hebrews 11: 6 says, “Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him.”
Okay, I’m taking that as a challenge. I’m taking my scrawny faith and holding it up to God and saying, “Show me more. Teach me more. Help me become more faithful, more full of faith!
I like the little adage that says, “Doubt knocked on the door, but when Faith answered, no one was there.” Maybe I simply have to trust that Faith will keep showing up, and fill my days with joy.
Blessings to you, oh, faithful friends!