This past summer, as I had conversations with strangers about faith, I soon observed that the line between faith and doubt can be very thin. Even with the most faithful of Christians there is a tension between faith and doubt. And that is good. For doubt is part of a healthy faith.
You know, as well as I, that as Christians we proclaim some incredible, almost unbelievable truths. And, naturally, these claims are at times challenged by others…and, yes, even in our own hearts…and yet, we take the truths about our faith seriously. Which lead to some interesting and deep conversations with others and, of course, even in our own minds.
You and I proclaim the Good News with conviction even as we explore our doubts. The truth is, we proclaim the Good News with some degree of humility, never with arrogance. Afterall, we understand we are in conversation with others who are, yes, doubting. We communicate that we too doubt at times and join with our neighbors in their…in our…common struggles with faith.
In doing so, we connect with our neighbors without shouting from the roof tops our struggles. We never call our struggles about faith “short comings.” We join together in respect…and with, again, humility. As a pastor once told me, “always keep in mind the phrase ‘but, really, what do I know’ when in a conversation about faith.
Over the years you and I have shared our struggles and doubts about our faith. And that is healthy. For in that conversation we continue to celebrate the Good News. We do not say “maybe” or “perhaps” Jesus is our Savior. No, we joyously proclaim Jesus “is” our Lord. We embrace and share the Good News that God loves everyone without any reservations. Even we who doubt…in faith.
It is amazing really. For even with our doubts without reservation we faithfully proclaim God’s love for the world: God forgives us. Jesus has risen from the dead. We receive the gift of eternal life. And we continue to proclaim the Good News!
Now and forever.
Christ’s Peace, Pastor Steve