Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Do I have faith in Faith?

Sharing my faith has always been a challenge for me.  I question and worry that any sharing I do will simply push people farther from God, and tell myself I am wanting to be sensitive to others, but really I am just doubting.  I often miss opportunities simply because I am too insecure to speak up.

Now I am not saying that we should stand on street corners yelling at people, say a meaningless "God bless" to everyone (unless you actually mean it), and force our views on others.  I think that this day and age "relational" evangelism (sharing my faith with friends, people I know, rather than "contact" evangelism with random strangers) is the most effective approach.

I have hidden behind the famous words of St. Francis of Assisi to "preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words".  This is not to say that his words are wrong, he captures a great and wonderful idea, but if I am honest I tend to use these as a cop-out to having to share my faith with someone.  This brings up ideas about whether I love another person enough to share my faith.  I would really like to think so, but again honestly I am often too insecure.

Which brings up the concept of this faith of my I am too insecure to share.  I have to wonder that if I truly believe God is who He says He is, why am I so scared?  He is "the author and perfecter of faith" (Heb 12:2) and "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Phil 1:6).

It comes down to that when I doubt and feel insecure about my faith it's because I am doubting in the author of my faith.  I don't have faith in my faith.  If I did not doubt my faith I would not be afraid of sharing it freely with others.  If left unchallenged I think the results could be quite catastrophic.  We cling to our faith so tightly deceiving ourselves thinking it's out of devotion when really it's out of insecurity.  If we hold our faith too tightly we suffocate it, and it will die, and we will find ourselves clinging to a dead and rotting faith.

Perhaps a mustard seed sized faith will remain, enough to be saved, but we will have killed the dreams God had for our lives.  Our relationship is so infinitely more than just salvation; salvation is the starting point not the end goal.

I have heard, and agree, that sharing my faith should be less of a guilt trip and more like talking about my favorite restaurant.  I should not have to feel compelled to share this great life-changing news, but rather should be so excited that I can't help but share it.

May we have faith in our faith enough to share this good news.