a new year, a new word

Last year my word was "adventure". Everytime I came upon an unexpected turn in the road, a challenge, I would label it an adventure. It seemed to help attitude, gave me a shift in perspective. I've decided to choose a new word for the new year. Faith.

The minister mentioned "fueled faith" in Sunday morning's sermon. I liked that concept but needed to look up the definition before I confirmed it as my new word(s). Fueled: heated, driven, to support or stimulate. Well, that sounds okay - "driven faith". I figured I knew the definition of faith, but decided to check that one out as well. At which point I came across an amazing article by Martin Luther which says "Faith is not what some people think it is. Faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives us new birth from God. It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith." The article goes on to talk about how faith and works are completely intertwined; one cannot exist independently of the other. He closes with the following: "Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do."

I realized then, that the concept of "fueled faith" in which I put my own efforts into fueling my faith is completely preposterous. Instead, I found myself gravitating towards the concept of "sovereign faith".

I spoke at a retreat last spring and we were taught the signing for the newer version of the song "amazing grace". The phrase "His mercy reigns" was signed using the same symbolism as a horse's reigns. We are controlled and directed by God's mercy in the same way that a bridle and reigns control a horse. I absolutely loved this word picture. Sovereign faith gives me that same image - being controlled by a faith that is so much bigger than me. I wish I could take a photograph of my life right now - especially the "inside" - and be able to look back on December 31, 2008 and see what God has done with this.

I encourage you to read the rest of the article. It's short - only 3 paragraphs - but worth pondering.

http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt