Recently I read, "The life of God comes into us by faith, through us by hope, and out of us by love." What an encompassing and concise statement of the salvation work of the Holy Spirit--an encounter with God that changes one's life deep from within and is evidenced in the loving behavior that becomes more and more the Christian's manner of interaction with others and the world.
"How do I live by faith?" one might ask. In the letter to the Hebrew's [Heb. 11:8], we read that our forefather Abraham, who was considered justified by his faith, trusted and obeyed the call from God to set out for a country that was the inheritance given him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going! Perhaps you are not being called to let go and trust that drastically yet, but would you go if God said "Go!" What is your gut response? Panic? Timidity? Excitement? Willingness or unwillingness? Doubt--ready to minimize such a call?
Perhaps there is something about which you are being asked to make a giant leap of faith--to let go and trust, abandoning yourself to God alone. Perhaps it is trusting what He says in His word, rather than what the world or others are saying. Where are you being challenged to grow in faith? It seems to me that everyone can grow in trust and these challenges are ongoing throughout one's life in varying ways. Trust and faith are synonymous, as when we read in Luke 1:45: "Blest is she who trusted (believed) that the Lord's word to her would be fulfilled."
What an utter contrast this thinking is to the world's thinking, which says, "You're in charge; make it happen; plan, plan, plan; control the pieces; etc." There is a place for planning and taking appropriate charge, but too frequently this "way" has become the norm. Too many Catholics do not know the "way" of living and walking by faith because they do not know the scriptures. Jesus, whom we know is "The Way," is our primary model for living by faith.
We may ask, "Am I living more with and by anxiety or faith? Am I being tossed to and fro by the winds and waves as a ship on the sea?" Read again James 1:3-8.
In Phil. 4:4-9, we are taught to pray in thanksgiving and to think upon that which will build up our inner being. How do we pray in thanksgiving? One way is to find out what the word of God says about our circumstances and pray, "I thank you, Father God, that _(name)_ is having the love of God poured into his/her heart by the Holy Spirit this day, and that she/he is being built up in hope." [Rom. 5:5]
So, let us be of good cheer [Jn. 16:33], counting it all joy! [1 Pet. 1:6] Let us pursue peace, letting it reign in our hearts!
Printed in the November 1994 issue of the "Living Water." Published for the Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of San Jose, California. Permission to copy is granted, as long as proper credit is given.
This site Copyright © 1995-2001 Catholic Charismatic Center