I was working with my eight grade Sunday School class. We have stepped into trust. That’s a big step.
They believe what they can see and they are challenged to trust what they can not see or touch. They are asked to have faith. But then that’s the reason we gather each Sunday. It’s all about faith. We are discussing faith in God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It would be so much easier if we could just show up with something they can touch or hold or examine with their hands. It’s not that easy and that is why it’s called FAITH … or trust.
What we are called to do as individuals of Faith is to trust in something we cannot see or touch but only understand through experience. And then we are called to share that experienced faith so that others will see it acted out and begin to believe.
A church asked me to speak at their services. A witness talk about stewardship. Stewardship is about giving but first it’s about a relationship. A relationship based on faith lived out in experiences. The only way I know to witness my faith is to share the experiences that made the faith I have grow.
When I have presented witness talks in the past I am deeply concerned that me talking about me (my experiences) will turn people off. “He’s just talking about himself,” I imagine the individuals in the pews will say. They are right. I am talking about my stories and the people in my life. That’s how my faith is played out … in real life … my real life experience and actions while living life!
Once I start thinking this way I realize what I need. I need trust! Trust in God and trust in me. Only when I share my story and my experiences will God come alive in my life. I need to have Faith. The very same Faith, and trust, that I am trying to get my 8th grade Sunday School class to understand. Here’s what I have come up with. Faith and Trust must be lived to be understood. We experience these qualities, we don’t necessarily explain them. That’s why they are difficult to explain. They have to be experienced; experienced in challenges, in trials, in doubts, in success, in joy, in hope and in love. Wait a minute how do you explain hope and love?
Something else you have to experience … but that’s another subject for another class.