Fearless Faith

Sometimes the hardest things to find are right in front of our eyes. Even up close we may not be able to discern everything we need or would like to know. But with a little patience and a positive learning environment it is surprising how easily things can fall into place. Being a good observer is at the core of discernment. Without observation there is little basis for well-informed conclusions, something we all have experienced firsthand in recent times.

I am an admitted rock-picker-upper when headed down any gravel road on foot. Always on the lookout for stones that stand out, it is great fun to line the garden paths with these wonders. Among the more interesting stones are quite a few pieces of petrified wood. People sometimes inquire how to tell the difference between rocks and small pieces or chunks of the petrified stone. It begins with being observant then correlating those observations with what time and experience have taught us.

When young children are present in our garden, it becomes a game at times to find as many pieces of petrified wood as possible. How do they pick up on the differences so quickly? They are inspired learners and keen observers. They are intentional in their quest for new rock treasures without the baggage of adulthood dampening their spirits. And most telling of all, they are persistent.

Are we similarly gifted when it comes to entertaining scripture and other religious writings? Can we set aside the baggage and damage brought about by immovable dogma and in its place invite patience and persistence into the process? Can we begin to more clearly articulate for ourselves what each new find brings to the table?

But what if we get it wrong? There is a lot at stake and 12 ways to Sunday of getting there. Many would have us believe that scripture is immovable, ideas bound to old standards that should never be challenged. Others liken scripture to a living and breathing presence in our lives. What goes unrecognized at times is the middle ground between the two, a vast plain where many differing voices can be heard and safely explored, all this above the din of religious zealotry from the far left and the far right.

Fears play on our insecurities, further distancing us from reality. To move forward in thought requires a determination that is too often disregarded. The fallout accompanying failure can be brutal. Brandon Sanderson offers a different take, “Failure is the mark of a life well lived. In turn, the only way to live without failure is to be of no use to anyone.” Individuals and institutions too often fail because they are unwilling to risk in their attempts to be everything for everybody. If we can resist the need to always be center stage, we might discover something new as we move toward a more clearly articulated faith, one that matters each and every day.

A lot of stones appear uninteresting and mundane until they are viewed up close or in new light or from a different angle. As persons become more familiar with the identifiers and markings of petrified wood, it suddenly becomes much easier to differentiate even the most nuanced of pieces. Can we articulate a similar theology of faith?