© photo by michelle bryant
(created for habitat for humanity)
Faith. What exactly is faith? It means something different to everyone. Webster describes faith as confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof. Elton Trueblood is quoted as stating that faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations. The Bible describes faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen – (Hebrews 11:1).”Yet all of the political candidates running for the position of President of the United States have professed to be men and women of faith, all claiming that they can make a difference, make the world a better place, make America a better country. (As I am sure we have all done at some point or another sitting in our living rooms).
This parallel of faith and action brings to my mind the scripture in James 2:18 that states: “…I will show my faith by what I do.” To me, this says I will show what I believe by the way I live my life, the choices I select and the decisions that I make. My actions will be a reflection of my character, of my faith.
Each and everyday we all wake up with a brand new start and hope for the best. But I think, we know that we are imperfect beings doing the best we can with what we have. So as you listen to the media (tainted and biased as you think it may be), and you watch the political debates and hear all the promises and lies and hopes and hoaxes think about character, think about faith. Think about Charles Kinglsey who said, “I do not want merely to possess a faith; I want a faith that possesses me.” I believe he was saying, I do not want to just believe that I am a good man of character I want others to know I am a good man of character because it shows in my life, because of who I am. He was saying; “I want to show my faith by what I do”, by who I am, by the choices I choose to live by and the decisions I make each and every day of my life.
I encourage you, as you watch and listen, as you vote and influence others, as you choose this day the candidate you hold faith in; the one that you trust to show you what they truly believe, that you do so by paying close attention to what these men and women [of faith] really say and DO and choose accordingly.
© michelle bryant