We cannot see faith, but we see everything because of it
If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!" and it would obey you.
Every day, when I wake up, I thank Him for all the things He has given me: a good night's sleep, a new day, a loving family, faithful friends, but most of all, for giving me faith.
Each day, I know He won't give me anything that the two of us together can't handle. I know that if there have been failures, it is so that I may learn to be better. Faith is nothing but complete trust in He who has made us.
We can't see faith; but we see everything because of it. Look around you. Doesn't all that you have seen teach you to trust Him for all that you have not seen? If He carried us through life this far, would He forsake us now? If He has moulded each one of us in His likeness, would He let go of us so easily?
We can't see faith; but we see everything because of it.
Lorita Das
Not an excuse
People sometimes misunderstand faith. They believe that those who leave all to God are ones who are too lazy to do it themselves or want an excuse for not being capable enough to do it. Well, the concept has been turned on its head.
Faith is taking a step in the dark and believing that He is watching. It is what makes a person take a step towards something, not away from it. It is putting your best foot forward and knowing that it will not land in quicksand, but on solid ground.
When you know you haven't studied a day's worth of notes and yet give the exam and somewhere deep down, you know you might just make it, isn't that faith? That lady on the corner of the street who sleeps on an empty stomach after feeding her children all she could gather, what is she living on, if not faith? When you see that the precious little time you have with a sick friend is slipping through your fingers and yet you find a reason to smile and make them laugh, what are you living on, if not faith?
Faith in the right thing
Having faith is essential, but having faith in the right things is most important. Murderers, dacoits and thieves also have faith; only it is in the inefficiency of law and order enforcement, probably. That we place our trust in God is what matters. Trust Him to do not what you want, but what is right for you.
Remember the lady who touched Jesus' cloak and was healed? That's the kind of faith we're talking about. There isn't a dearth of worries or sorrows in our lives; it is not like we don't need healing. So what is stopping us from trusting in Him? Why do we doubt? Is it because Jesus is too far away? Is His cloak out of reach?
If so, start tonight. Pray. Every night when you close your eyes, thank Him for all that He has given you, thank Him for where He has brought you, but most of all, trust Him to know where He is taking you. Approach life with a smiling, a winning attitude and be equipped with faith. Like He said, even faith the size of a mustard seed will do.
May we all grow in trust and faith and be close to the Lord, always: close enough to reach out and touch His cloak.
Lorita Das
Writes on faith and ordinary life. She also contributed to the January 2013 issue.