People often question their faith and then worry about the fact that they question it. Plato and Socrates are know for the phrase that an un-examined life isn’t worth living and I think that applies to faith. An unquestioned faith is by nature shallow. I even heard a homily where the deacon said that not having faith is a sin. Faith is a gift and a quick reading of the some of the stories of Mother Theresa at the end of her life, proves that. Maybe giving up on our relationship with God could be a sin…
We deepen our comprehension of anything through questioning. The difference is that with knowledge we discover answers, however, faith is well, just that, faith or our relationship with God. Everything we do in the name of this relationship, deepens and strengthens us. If it weren’t for doubts, we wouldn’t question anything. Isn’t it the questioning that makes us stronger and more resilient? If we had all the answers it would then become knowledge, not the key to any relationship.
I had an easy life growing up with great parents and family. The experience of moving all over the place provided experiences that amazed us even as children, traveling the world seeing and experiencing all that brings and I never really questioned anything till after ordination and with the first experience of questioning any aspect of my relationship with God, I didn’t know what to do. I ended up taking a leave of absence. Through that experience and the trials and tribulations of returning to active ministry, I realize beyond a doubt that with out being tested, as even Jesus was tempted in the desert, we lose the ability to have relationship our God calls us to experience.
In short don’t fear the doubts…
Next time you feel a bit lost, stop, ask God, “what are you trying to teach me God?, and then LISTEN. Because, only with quiet time, can we truly deepen our relationship with our God.