Fearless Faith

One of the advantages of growing up along the Front Range was the opportunity to experience varied climates, elevations and biomes within a relatively short distance. One could be at the top of Trail Ridge Road and home again on the plains that same evening. If one was observant enough upon their return near dusk, the headlights of cars coming around Rainbow Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park could be seen some three hours of driving time away. The sights and smells and chill air remained alive and present until the next day trip to the mountains.

Such memories are critical reminders to live life broadly, if possible and to recharge our thankfulness of things we too often take for granted. A recent challenge for a discussion group was to describe something that members were grateful for in that moment. The results were not surprising. They centered primarily on two areas: simple creature comforts (heat, food, shelter, running water) and close family relationships. When we do not have the basics of relative comfort and relationship, it is more difficult to thrive in our world of easily-triggered despair.

We fool ourselves into believing that such things must be right before us in the moment for them to have value. If we live a strictly linear lifetime without faith and hope for past or future, then where does that leave us? We are left longing for something more, something deeper and more meaningful that engages the soul. An elderly church member of recent past lamented his perceived self-worthiness as he questioned his purpose in being on this earth. To a person, others responded that his presence was deeply felt and that his examples of faithfulness and kindness were enduring illustrations for the rest of us of a life well-lived. Though he is now far away, he remains ever near.

Similarly, the Gospels guide us to places and events far away that continue to reflect a nearness of the Holy Spirit. When we encounter the teachings of Jesus head on, we soon discover that time becomes much less linear and more multidimensional. We recognize the Rainbow Curve headlights hours away as being both experienced in the moment and, at the same time, seen from afar. We do not need to explain it in order to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives, both nearby and afar.

Mathematical dimensions that we encounter daily are simple and straightforward; width, depth and height. Temporal dimensions begin to draw theoretical physics into the equation rather quickly with some theorists suggesting there might be a dozen or more dimensions present in the universe. For all their work and conjecture, we somehow sense God’s presence without the mathematical trappings that are necessary for “proof.”

How does the Holy Spirit manifest itself in your life? It is not an easy question, and it can become overly confusing at times. Do not get caught up in the spiritual hubbub of competing theologies. Observe what is before you and decide what is of God and what is not. You will surprise yourself of the wisdom that rises from your inner being as well as those around us. Nearby or far away? Perhaps it is both.