The above quote is a paraphrase of a statement Howard Thurman said towards the end of his life. To me, it exudes an unrelenting faith in God, even if we do not know what is going on or we are not sure if God knows what is going on. Some may find it shocking for someone to dare say "I don't think God knows what God is doing." Some may say this is borderline blasphemous. However, this speaks to a faith that goes deeper than the typical cliches (God is good all the time and all the time God is good; I'm blessed and highly favored; To blessed to be stressed; etc.) uttered by many (including myself) on a daily basis. What I want to talk about is a faith that goes beyond rhetoric and cliches. I am talking about an unwavering faith even when we have the slightest ideal what is going on.
When thinking about this type of faith, it took me back to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane was not a pretty place for Jesus. It was here that Jesus had to face the reality of his call and purpose in his life. Jesus had to face the reality of the cross at this moment. Jesus did not want to face the cross. The text (Mat. 26:37-38) says that Jesus was grieved and agitated. And he asked for the cup to pass over him (Mat. 26:39). Jesus did not want to go to the cross. But even in this moment of weakness, Jesus was able to say "not what I want but what you want" (Mat. 26:39). Jesus could have chosen not to go to the cross. Jesus could have said no. But Jesus chose to trust in God. I dare say that if it were up to Jesus he would have avoided the cross. However, it was Jesus faith and trust in God that enabled him to say "not MY will but YOUR WILL."
Deep faith is total submission to the will of God even if the will of God takes us down a path that we would not have chosen for ourselves. Deep faith is trusting God even if we cannot rationalize or find the logic in the situation. Deep faith is trusting God when we don't know what is going on and all we have to rely on is God. Deep faith causes us to be vulnerable. Deep faith means we have no control. Deep faith means really trusting God with our lives. Ask yourself "Do I really trust God with my life?" Do I really want to let God control my life or do I want to have a say so? Take time to really meditate on this question.
It is time for all of us to move beyond the cliches of faith. It is time for us to take our walk and relationship with God seriously. We must allow ourselves to explore the depths of God and open ourselves to the possibility of being vulnerable to God. Allowing God to truly use us and allowing God's will to be done in our lives. LET US NOT REDUCE FAITH TO CLICHES. Let us live out our faith in God and let us live out his will for our lives.
God Bless,
Rev
Very Good,
ReplyDeleteWalter