I don’t know where I first read the phrase “messy faith,” but it’s been a while and I’ve forgotten. Anyway, it describes the way I feel… sometimes a lot. I guess I’m spiritually conflicted so to speak. Let me explain…
I struggle with doubts… yet I believe. I have ungodly thoughts… yet I work to be holy. I want to serve God… yet I hesitate to follow through. I know the theology… yet in my heart there is trepidation. I get things right… I mess up a lot too. I can give wise counsel… yet it’s hard for me to listen to myself. I have great joy and struggle with depression at the same time. I believe God can do anything… but sometimes wonder if He will.
In short my faith is “messy.”
I get frustrated with people (Particularly Preachers) who speak of nothing but how great, wonderful, blessed, and joyful their life is. I wonder what they’re hiding because nobody’s life is that good… all the time! Jesus’ life was full of sorrows, Paul struggled, David had difficulty as did Peter. It is written that we have to go through many hardships to enter heaven. Paul wrote it is God’s will for us to suffer (Ouch!). Then we read in Acts that our salvation is made perfect through suffering.
One of my favorite people in Scripture is a father who asked Jesus if he could do anything to heal his demon possessed child. He said to Jesus… “I believe, help my unblief!”
If your life and faith is messy (Which is normal and average), I suggest praying “I believe Lord… help my unbelief!!”
In short… life is messy. My life is. Your life is. Everyone’s life is messy.
We will NEVER, this side of heaven, be perfect nor will everything always work out the way we want it to. We do pretty good at times, then we fail. We are successful, then we blow it. We have victories, and we have defeats. Hopefully our ratio of success over failure increases by God’s grace.
Thanks for this one. I am glad to know that I am not the only one who believes but has doubts!! I pray and know God will handle things, but then I get so frustrated and wonder… “what is the use, why am I even praying?” But I know in my heart that God is in control.
Thanks Ron, I appreciate your thoughts.
WOW- I needed that– Thanks Ron-
Psychologists call it “universalism,” the comfort we get when we realize that other people struggle with same things we do so we don’t feel so “alone” in this world. However, personally I am even more encouraged not because I know my “heroes” also are “human” but despite their struggles, they live a victorious life and overcomes them by the grace of Jesus Christ. I want my pastor and those I look up to to be able to say like Paul “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”
S.B.,
I guess the thing I’m trying to communicate is that godliness is a process. I don’t want people to feel defeated when they fail periodically in their walk. Paul talked of his struggle… yet said we are not to live in sin. The question is not are we perfect, but is Christ transforming us more and more into His image? Are we MORE loving, merciful, patient, forgiving, and compassionate than we were last week… month… year? Group hugs over sin is not appropriate in the Chritian life. Encouragement and accountability are important. We are to help each other toward godliness. My point was that there are those who set themselves up as perfect without considering the log in their own eye… and use it as a tool of self-righteousness and condemnation of others.
I do agree that we ALL should say as Paul did… “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.
Thank you for your comment!
Ron
Brother Ron, once again Thank you for your transparency. I agree with your admonition that the Christian life is a process and not a destination. No matter how mature we may be, we are still journeying deeper and working towards a more real application of the love of God in every aspect of our lives, struggles or victories. Perhaps we once again need to be reminded that it is about God and not us. Any time we become complacent, self-righteous or cendemning of anyone, we need to remember that no matter how they may appear to us, God loves them as much as he does us. Blessings!