Closing Thoughts on Positive Faith

In closing out this series on positive faith- here’s what I might like you to takeaway, if I had my druthers. (If you haven’t read the series visit: northstarcommunity.com/devotionals to see what I’m on about).

Faith doesn’t have to be (and shouldn’t be) about:

-Living in shame

-Viewing yourself as bad, wrong, or evil

-Avoiding “bad” behaviors

-Blaming ourselves or others for suffering

Faith can be about:

-A God who comforts, loves, protects, and provides

-Building each other up

-Encouraging each other

-Looking for the good in each other

-Growing as a result of these

Faith and, and should be, a sense of connection to God, our neighbor, ourselves, and even creation itself. This connection provides a sense of peace about our place in the world- as well as a source of joy and hope. Faith encourages us to continue to look life directly in the face, even when it’s difficult, and to refuse to back down. Not because we’re strong or macho, but because we believe God will give us what we need to get from one moment to the next, and because we believe that surviving is the ultimate display of faith in action.

God has designed each of us. You have gifts, and strengths. You have something to offer. Too often faith communities have asked us to ignore, or even suppress, these things because of some wrong-headed notion that it might somehow take attention away from God.

I say no. The things that make you unique only point to beauty and depth of God’s creativity. So, please, if you can, embrace everything that makes you you. I kinda think that’s what God wants.

Positive Faith in Action

The next few days are about finding ways to put positive faith into action. Yesterday we suggested getting started by remembering that every human being is created in the divine image of God. Humanity is precious to God, and inherently reflects his nature (amongst other things of course).

A close corollary of this is to look for the good in others. Yes, this seems simple and trite. But, isn’t it nice when you can tell that someone sees the good in you? I don’t know this for sure, but I’d imagine it helps you relax, feel safe, feel connected, and, perhaps, like you really do belong in this world.

Can we offer that experience to others as part of our call to love our neighbor as ourselves? Can we actively look for, and see, the good in others so that we can affirm them as beloved children of God?