Faith...what does it look like?

As we head into 2024, I want to share something that I have spoken about many times as a pastor. Something I always believed in, was making the topic of faith easy to understand. That might sound strange considering many in today's world believe that faith in God is a non-starter. The reasoning is simple: I can't see him, I can't hear him, I can't touch him and so on.

Many will insist that faith like I and other Christians have, borders on delusional and it is based on some fictional character. They might even suggest that only science can be trusted with it's numerous "theories". 

I am going to suggest to all my friends who might mock my faith, that each and every one of you, practice faith every day of your lives and have been doing so since you were children. Please don't stop reading because my simple examples are coming. You can dispute everything I am about to say but you will have a really difficult time doing so. You will try to find fault in what I write...I guarantee it!

Let me give you just a few examples of how you and I practice faith each day. 

When you walk into a room you have never been in and you sit in a chair you have never sat in, how do you know it will support you? You trust that it will even though you have no proof that it will. At my age, I have probably done so hundreds of thousands of times.

When you go into a restaurant for the first time, and you order something from the menu that looks really good. Maybe it is even recommended to you. You will eat it without knowing who the chef is and without knowing if someone poisoned your food. You obviously assume nobody would do such a thing.

How about getting on a plane and flying 38,000 feet in the air? Talk about faith. You are trusting the pilot, who you don't know. You are trusting the mechanics who you have never met. You are even trusting the baggage handlers that your luggage will arrive at your destination.

I could go on but hopefully you see my point, even if you don't want to admit it!

Jesus Christ walked on this earth over 2000 years ago and there are numerous historical facts that prove this. Yet many still believe the lie that he is a fairly tale made up by some devious individuals who had nothing better to do with their time. Then there is the Bible. The most trustworthy ancient manuscript ever written with thousands of copies. Most scholars teach from other ancient manuscripts that have just a handful of copies and yet claim they are absolutely accurate. Yet, those same scholars won't accept the Bible. Why is that?

I want to encourage you to think about these things as we head into the New Year. Look for a church that offers the ALPHA course rather than going to a church service. It is a 10 week course where you can ask questions and even disagree with videos that are presented. Most offer a free meal or coffee or both and you will be able to make your own educated conclusions. One of the inexplainable truths about the Christian faith is, that most who object to it, have never actually studied it for themselves.

I wish each of you a Happy New Year!