Faith is neither a purely intellectual, nor a purely emotional thing. It has an intellectual side, professing what we judge to be true; and, in part, it is a matter of responding to feelings. But both of these are a gift of the Spirit … and gifts of the Spirit always move us to give ourselves over to One greater than ourselves. If we hand ourselves over to God’s good care and let go of the illusion of being only for ourselves, it can bring us inner, spiritual growth.
Faith is a special form of “knowing,” as when we know a friend. It touches an awareness deep within us, an awareness of God’s presence guiding and helping us. Faith is the experience described about Abraham in the Letter to the Hebrews (11, 1-2. 8-19) and it is present in so many other great figures in the Bible.
Faith is an on-going process: growing as we grow; changing as we change; maturing and we mature. Our childhood faith cannot sustain us in adulthood, though it can develop more and more and stay with us throughout our lives.
Experiences of faith will be sporadic, unpredictable, and cannot be precisely “programmed.” The challenge is to be grateful if, at privileged moments, we feel God’s special presence. Still, at other times, life will remain confusing, full of darkness and doubt, with God apparently silent and seemingly absent. Let’s remember that, even in times of confusion and loneliness, God really is there/here. This world is God’s, God really does know what is going on in it, and He asks us to trust in His loving care for it and for us. Each step of life’s journey, we are given a chance to renew our trust in God and His care – so, “do not be afraid.”
