Faith

So our bible study has been reading The Kings Cross by Tim Keller.  Throughout the process of reading the book I've found myself growing a ton.  To briefly describe the book I would say its a hybrid commentary/teaching of the Gospel of Mark.  Keller does an awesome job of using a historical and linguistic context of the scripture, and then weaving it into how it relates to the cross and Jesus.  While there is no, what ill call, "overall theme" for the book, it mainly sticks to going through Mark chronologically (as the text is written).

While reading the last couple chapters (that our bible study has gone through) I've found some very practical and awesome truths which have begun to grow me individually.  One such thing was dealing with the story of Jesus calming the storm.  Specifically dealing with the statement Jesus says: "Do you have no faith?" or also "Where is your faith?"  In the midst of this Keller presents the ultimate truth in this.  Is our faith based on "how much" or is it based on the object itself.  The analogy in which Keller gives is one falling off of a cliff.  As they're falling they notice a branch.  How much faith is needed for the person to reach out and grab the branch?  One does not need much faith in the branch to grab out, just the faith in itself that the branch could prevent the imminent end of the fall.  To finish this story he presents the statement:

 "That's because it's not the quality of your faith that saves you; it's the object of your faith. It doesn't matter how you feel about the branch; all that matters is the branch. And Jesus is the branch."

Later he goes on to note that Faith is ultimately a gift, and not a virtue.  This idea of faith as a gift is a crazy thing.  Certain scriptures even point to this truth (Romans 12:3 or Ephesians 2:8 for example).  Underneath all of this is the crazy, awesome, and even scary truth: God is ultimately the one who controls the "measure" of our faith.  Just because you may "believe more" doesn't make you any more a follower of Jesus.  The underlying and great news of all of this is that faith is based on its source, the object of the thing: Jesus.  What defines us as Christians is Jesus. He is the Branch. He is the Vine. Our faith is because of Him. It comes from Him. It IS Him.  If this is the base of your faith, that it is the object and not the quantity, then you can rest knowing He is ultimately in control.  What an awesome truth.

You Called. You Shouted.

To first note this blog isn't going to be about 1 Corinthians (though I am still pressing through it!).  This post is mostly just going to be a reflection on some things. To start ill post this quote from St. Augustine's Confessions:

"Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace."

Along with this quote, the song "Alive Again" by Matt Maher (which is written using this excerpt) have both been awesome reminders lately of what God has done in my life.  I don't think any words could better sum up for myself, or any believer for that matter, the way God pursues each of us.  C.S. Lewis refers to Jesus as the "Hound of Heaven" in a quote about his conversion.  Whatever the case, in the midst of my life I have certain points I look at and see a certain stamp God placed over that event or time.  The above is an ever constant reminder that the "Hound of Heaven" busted down the gates of my life, and brought me unto himself.

One such moment I cant get passed (which if you know me you have surely heard the story) is my knee injury from my junior year of high school.  Up to the point I had just weeks before had the greatest week of my life at Frontier Ranch (a Young Life Camp).  While I would have considered myself a christian at that point (pre-camp even) it was evident God was doing big things in my life.  He had surrounded me with an awesome community, and was beginning to show me what a relationship with him looked like.  On my part, however, I still was very much consumed with some of the same old things in my life, notably football.  Being the one thing I was ever really good at it had become a major idol in my life, especially in high school.  It was a source of pride for me as I would run out the tunnel, or make a big play.  From middle school on I based all of my goals around it, from playing varsity as a sophomore to one day playing college ball.  Whatever the case it was something which was hindering my growth with Jesus.

After accomplishing gaining a starting role I saw everything going "my way".  That is when God threw a curve ball.  Just 3 days after our first game I tore my ACL and in a moment was done for the season.  While my immediate reaction was somewhat negative, I soon began to see the ultimate good which came from the injury.  Within that God set the path for my entire life.  While in the end my goals were short-sided and ultimately meaningless, God's plan was to begin molding me into who I am today.  In particular He showed me that this world would never ultimately satisfy me.  To this day I continue to hold fast to that season of my life.  It often scares me to think where I would be today had my own plans found success.  Now 6 years in the future I'm continually thankful for the moments like this in which God decided to break down the doors of my life and reveal himself.