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Belief- the capacity to act out what we understand and feel to be true, even if circumstances might lead us to different conclusions.
We so often resemble the father of the demon possessed boy who desperately implored Jesus for help. When asked if he believed he exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" [Mark 9:24]
Faced with situations out of our control or relationships which are baffling, we become aware of how little power we have to change the complex and confusing world around us. What we believe deep down inside is the razor thin thread we tightly clutch so we can survive. We may realize how insufficient our faith is. We acknowledge how inadequate we are to alter our circumstances. Still we have the choice how we will respond in the face of overwhelming odds. That is part of the appeal of the young father's honest reply to Jesus. No pretense of religiosity. No sentimental sayings. No pat answers. No pious platitudes. Just his heart cry whereby he put it all in Jesus' hands. When we are at the end of our ropes, or feel like we are flattened against the ropes, or we feel all tied up in knots, we have the option of belief - or cowardice. You see the opposite of faith is not doubt. It's not wrong to doubt. If there is no room for doubt, if the outcome is sure, then there really is no need for faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do NOT see." [Hebrew 11:1] The opposite of belief is FEAR. To blindly run away from people or situations in fear is wrong because it does not give God time or room to act. Instead our belief, no matter how limited or weak we think it is, gives God's Spirit the possibility of making the Divine difference. Application and Implementation The longer we walk the pathway of personal faith in Jesus the greater will be our awareness of our inadequacy and the size of our UNbelief. But God will use our honest acknowledgment of our weakness to make His loving strength available - sometimes in surprising ways. It takes the pressure off us to be always brave and strong and true when we know inside we only have an ounce of faith, and tons of unbelief. God can give to us what we cannot conjure up ourselves - if we will allow Him room to work in our hearts and lives.
Until next weeks Meditorial, this is the Monty'man wishing...... Serenity For You!
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