I was speaking to a group recently and I was asked about the process to develop faith. I wish there was a five-step technique. Or a ten-week practice. Or a three-tiered approach. There is no such thing. I have such a clear image of the Indiana Jones movie where Harrison Ford’s character stands at edge of the bottomless chasm while the bad guys are chasing him and coming close. The chalice he is searching for is on the other side of the chasm, as is his freedom. He is at risk whether he stays or goes. Or so it seems. When he finally takes a step into the void, there magically appears a solid step to support him. And another and another until he makes it to the other side.
And so it is with the practice of faith. We move forward each day not knowing how or what will support every step that we take, but trusting that what we need will show up. It is an individual process of growth, patience and willingness. The practice yields ever deepening faith and trust.
In Scientific Christian Mental Practice, Emma Curtis Hopkins speaks so eloquently about faith, “Faith stands near. You know she can do anything. She can raise your hopes to highest heaven. You can choose faith, or you can choose doubt. Both are near. One is the reality of life, the other is unreality. One or the other is chosen by what you say most vehemently.”
Faith is the freedom in knowing that whatever I need will be provided; whether it’s having the strength to face the day, the courage to speak my truth, or help for a loved one. Faith is appreciating every day as a treasure and every experience as a gift.
Laura Ling was the speaker at Voices last Wednesday. I can’t get her talk out of my brain. She shares how she was captured in North Korea and held prisoner for 5 months. She shares the details of her interrogation and imprisonment in her book, Somewhere Inside .
