Thursday, March 23, 2006

"I had rather exercise faith than know the definition thereof"-Thomas a' Kempis.

I have studied theology for a number of years, and I am not certain what a good definition of faith really is. I can't elaborate it. However, I can see it, have seen it, and praise God for it!

I have two new friends, Frank and Erica. Frank and Erica gave their lives to our Lord and Savior, Jesus about two months ago. I have often been impressed with the voracity that they have pursued Him. However, now I am even more impressed and encouraged. Today at about 11 am Erica will be having a very risky surgery. Doctors are hoping to repair a "pseudo-aneurysm" near her brain that is significantly limiting the blood supply to her brain. As I spent time with Frank and Erica last night I was impressed with their faith. It was not a faith that speaks "faith-type" words out loud but mutters fear below the surface. Theirs was a faith completely in God. Don't get me wrong. I know they are afraid, but I also know that they trust in who God is in the midst of not being certain of what He will do. The Lord gave me a picture of this last night.

My dog Shadow is afraid of storms. In fact, she is so afraid that if left alone she leaves a path of destruction. This happened this past weekend. It was a deluge outside and Shadow was in the garage. She completely tore up the molding on the door to the house and broke the garage door sensor trying to escape. So, finally when I let her in the house, the first place she ran was under my feet. She felt secure there. She was safe. The storm did not end when she was under my feet. She did not know when the storm would end, but she knew who I was and that I cared for her.

Frank and Erica have spent time in the garage. They have fought. They have wept. Yet, the storm has raged on. Now, however, they have come into His house and sat beneath the feet of the master. They are secure there. They are safe there. While the storm for them continues to rage on, and they are not sure when it will end, they know who He is and that He cares for them.

I am not sure how to define faith, but that is what it looks like in action.

Praise God for the faith of Frank and Erica!