Where did your faith come from? I mean, how did it come to pass that you are connected with a faith community, that you have a relationship with the divine, however you would talk about that? Did it develop from childhood, learned at the feet of adult mentors? Did it emerge in adolescence as you questioned everything, including your place in the universe? Did it emerge as you faced challenges in life that called for it? And if you lost it along the way, has it returned? And if so, how does that happen?
I know. I just jumped into the deep end of the pool. You’re probably thinking, “Come on Will. It’s summertime! Lighten up!”
Sorry. I can’t be held responsible for what happens when I read the stories of our faith. They just give rise to big questions. This week we read the story of the mantle being passed from the great prophet Elijah to the equally great prophet Elisha. Such an evocative story of a dear relationship between two people who loved God with their whole hearts, had very human feet of clay, insecurities just like the rest of us, and through it all, show us how faith flows from one generation to the next.
There is an old adage, “Faith is caught not taught.” That is, it is more like a virus than a lesson. There’s learning involved but it encompasses the mysteries of inspiration. We breath it in, witness it in others in such a way that our hearts are stirred. That is why it happens in community. Seeing it in others helps it awaken, or re-awaken in us.
I look forward to exploring this landscape of faith with you on Sunday. Seeing you there may well help faith awaken in someone else.