Today I listened to more relationship shows while I worked. There was one aspect of the show today that caught my attention as I watched it during lunch. A woman had agreed to get involved in a “reality” show relationship and she kept wanting to give it all she could. She felt like God had brought her to this point and somehow, she should see it through because God never gives you more than you could handle. I believe in those ideas, but the problem I had was there were so many red flags popping up for her telling her something was wrong, and she just kept going saying that God had led her down this path and there must be a reason for it.
The situation makes me think about the idea of the difference between true faith and blind faith. Blind faith believes that God will save them and they are there for a reason, but then they don’t look for any of the signs that God provides. The person has tunnel vision and goes forward no matter what happens. With true faith, the person knows that God provides us with all kinds of signs and signals. I know that God has a plan for me, but I also know that I mess it up and He walks with me and gently pushes me and guides me back to the right path when I go astray.
My favorite explanation is the joke of a man on his roof during a flood. The water is rising, and a rowboat comes by, but the man won’t go because God will save him. Then a speed boat comes and still he won’t go. Finally, when the water is just about to overtake the roof, a helicopter comes and yet, he still won’t go believing God will save him. He drowns and when he gets to Heaven, he asks God what happened? God tells him that He sent a boat, a speed boat, and a helicopter, what else could He have done?
I guess it all boils down to fate and free will. Those with blind faith must believe that their path is already written and that their fate is already sealed. God has determined what will happen and there’s nothing they can do about it. I believe I have true faith. For me, things that seem to be opposites like fate and free will actually transcend each other in the eyes of God. Somehow, although everything has already been determined, I believe I still have free will. I know that I can choose my own destiny. So, as my story is written, God is there to guide me. He does give me guidance if I am open to it. I can move mountains if I just open my eyes to God and what He wants for me.
I’ve thought a lot about that this week. I believe that true faith is dynamic and demonstrates a living and breathing relationship with God. I wouldn’t continue to write every night unless I knew that God listened to my prayers. It’s strange when I first started to write my blog, I thought if just one person read what I wrote, then I would feel like I had accomplished what I set out to do. Tonight, I know that every night, God hears the prayer I write.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
