Knowledge that faith exists is what makes life meaningful

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Long ago and far away when I was a mere lad, my Mama was fond of saying, among other things, that there was a “big difference between faith and knowledge.” Usually she then would cite some example, most of which I either was unaware of or did not understand, to prove her point.

Since those carefree days of boyhood, I have come to understand some of the examples Mama spoke of, at least the ones I can remember, but of even greater value is that now I understand the meaning of her proverb. That does not mean, however, that I am the best at practicing one over the other, especially the faith one.

Call it a character flaw or an example of my humanity but I don’t always have the patience to practice faith. That is why, for example, I may turn to the back of the book after a few pages at the front, to see how the thing turns out.

It may also explain why sometimes I cut in on someone’s conversation, anxious to move it along because I have something profound to say or point out and I don’t want to forget whatever it is. I really am trying to do better at not doing that but I don’t always follow through. Sometimes when really trying to listen to other folks I don’t say anything at all and then that’s perceived as not caring. It can be tough to be a listener.

And how many of us these days are trying to balance faith that the virus plaguing our nation and world will one day, soon, we hope, come under control?

All that is said to say something about faith in general, especially at this time of year. “Faith” is an encompassing word with many different meanings. Faith in what...or in whom...and by whom and what for — those are just a few possibilities. It takes faith when you’re down to believe that one day you’ll be up. It takes faith to go out on a limb or to go against popular opinion if you’re convinced you’re right. It takes faith to wait on other folks to do whatever when you’re pretty sure you can do it better. In a nutshell, the list can be endless.

Please don’t get me wrong; I’m not putting down faith or suggesting we not have it. I’m just admitting sometimes it’s easier to have it than at other times. For example, I wouldn’t find it hard to have faith, without looking, that it is not snowing on July 4 even if my entire family tried to tell me otherwise. But in mid-January, after it’s been 10 below for a week and I haven’t peeked out the window for a couple of days, if someone told me we were having a blizzard and asked if I believed them I might find it hard not to sneak my own look-see just to make sure.

This time of year, the resurrection of Jesus, is, of course, for the Christian church, the apex of faith. Baseball has the World Series, football has the Super Bowl and college basketball has March Madness (except not this year thanks to the virus). The church has Easter; we’ve just celebrated it, although in different ways than usual. It’s when men and women of faith (there’s that word again), if they will, take a look at what they say guides them in their outlook on life all year and, indeed, all of their lives.

The Book that’s such a big part of that Easter faith tells us we ought to help one another and bear each other’s burdens and learn from one another. And I do have enough faith to believe that when that comes about that it is a help to us in our own struggles.

Some time ago, my better half and I were at an event at which a young man who hails from this area spoke of his Christian faith, of how it had turned his life around for the better, and of how he had sensed he needed to exercise his faith by stretching beyond his comfort zone. Doing that would require a big step of faith, even a leap into the unknown, and that’s not the most comfortable place for most of us.

Long story short is that the young man did that, took that leap, and is moving along in his ever-expanding and growing adventure of life and faith. As I listened to his story, it reminded me of a chapter in my story when, years ago, the place I found myself was no longer a satisfying place and I, along with my family, took a leap of faith.

Sometimes even today, as I reflect on that several-years-ago adventure, I marvel at it all, but...and it’s a big but...there is this benefit of such a step of faith: never have I felt “more alive” than when I was at that place then.

Forgive the rambling, dear reader, and suffice it to say what I’m trying to say is that sometimes, maybe even most times, “faith” trumps “knowledge” as the more important road map on the journey of life. May your faith map be clear enough to get you not to where you may be headed at the moment but to the place you should be headed for all time.

And remember, keep the faith...just not to yourself.