faith and failure.

When I was in middle school, there was one event that scared me more than any other event to that date. I was sitting in my middle school science class and the teacher was giving us a list of our grades for the semester and informing us how we could calculate our grade. I followed the directions and the number that came out indicated I was failing the class. A cold sweat broke out and tunnel vision started to set in- I felt as if I was going into shock as I walked up to the teachers desk to ask how this could be. It turns out, I missed a grade and was actually doing quite well, but the experience highlighted something about me. I was deathly afraid of failing.

Now I didn't grow up in a family that was militant about grades. My parents were very good at instilling a love for learning and a give it your best effort type of approach to learning. But one thing that I have put on myself over my life has been a bit of a perfectionist quality, or at least a "don't screw it up" mentality. I think this has kept me from doing a lot. I was thinking about it the other night as I pondered what God has for my life. I have been really blessed with all God has provided for me to this point, and I would say that I have taken a fair share of risks in those endeavors. But I started to question whether I would put everything on the line if there was a possibility of failure.

Growing up in the middle class and now as an adult seeing the importance of being wise with our money, saving for retirement, or other forms of good stewardship of our finances is important. Our culture (at times) promotes these type of biblical principals. But then, I look at the examples of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament and I start to wonder. Jesus told his disciples to take nothing with them when he sent them out, take up their crosses (death-the risk of everything) and to not worry about tomorrow. If Jesus sends me some place am I willing to take that approach? But it goes more than just financial. Am I like Jonah in not wanting to take the risk of doing something because I think I might fail? Paul writes a quote from Jesus saying, "My grace is sufficient for you... my power is made perfect in weakness." In essence, we never really experience all God has to offer us until we do risk everything.

If I fail, while our culture may view this as a deficiency on my part, God operates on the opposite. If I fail, even when he calls me to it, He gains. The paradox of the Gospel does not go unnoticed. I cannot have true faith, unless I am willing to truly fail. Maybe we need to start living this way in our churches and in our lives.

losing faith.

The AP put out an article today entitled "More Say They Have No Religion" (http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_survey.6810467mar09,0,6583512.story). It was an interesting, but not surprising article empirically evidencing that the United States is in a "Christian Decline." What was even more interesting though, is the message board postings at the end of the article. The large majority of these individuals making posts are adamant about their convictions that God does not exist, is made up, and that religion is actually the cause of most violence and hate in the world. Wow.

This "evangelical atheism" is really intense. I can't actually say that I have a great answer to all their accusations about the moral imperatives of Heaven and Hell, the "human" influence in the writing of scripture, or the many other tough questions that should be wrestled with, but it does show how tough it is, and will be for believers as we seek to make God known. Ultimately, they are seeking "proof" rather than "relationship." This growing segment of the population is doing all they can to make sure the gospel is not presented to our friends, family, and children. Now is the time to be prepared in and out of season to give a testimony for the hope that you have (II Timothy 4:1-5).

A lot of people get angry at this type of conversation. I wouldn't say that was the reaction that I initially and currently feel. I feel sad. While reading these comments I hurt for these individuals who are so angry at God, so disenfranchised with faith, and living life with such temporal purpose. I worry for them, those that they teach, and their children who won't have the chance to know God, all in the name of "being enlightened." May we stand strong in the faith, speak and act in love, and point all of those around us towards relationship with God.