Are You Willing to Adventure into Faith?
Together we are enough to face fear, sickness, grief, loss, tragedy, trauma... any of the suffering we encounter in life.
I’ve been thinking a lot about faith lately. I know you’d think that would be normal for me, but it really isn’t. I’ve been thinking specifically about faith and the role it plays in our lives – individually, communally, and in society. Mostly, my thoughts have centered on how hard it is to wrestle the concept of a loving God away from the teachings that God is the ultimate judge.
Last week, during the children’s time, I invited everyone to think about faith as an adventure – something we are willingly (if reluctantly) entering into. Faith is an adventure in living, in love, in forgiveness, in mercy, and so much more. We go on this adventure not because we are afraid of condemnation or because we want to earn our way into God’s good graces but for the purpose of bringing more love into the world – of making the world a better place in some small way.
As you know, I am saddened by how much fear rules religion in particular, and society in general. If God truly is Love and that Love extends to the entirety of the cosmos (John 3:16), then what have we got to be afraid of? We are innately “good enough.” We don’t have to prove anything to anyone or perform any tasks to show our worthiness.
This should mean that we can breathe more deeply and trust God to guide us and accompany us through life. Yet, most of us were not raised with this foundation of love. There was always an element of fear – “God is watching you” like some kind of cosmic Santa Claus who determines if you are “naughty or nice.” Or worse, “God will punish you if you don’t do such and such…” And there are other ways in which fear crept into the heart of our faith.
Perhaps this week is a new opportunity to free ourselves and our faith from any lingering fear. May is Mental Health Month and one of NAMI‘s slogans is “Together we are enough.” How beautiful is that? Together we are enough to face fear, sickness, grief, loss, tragedy, trauma… any of the suffering we encounter in life.
We are not alone. You are not alone. Together it is possible to adventure into faith and discover where Love truly abides, and freely share that Love with all whom we encounter.
Take some time to breathe as deeply as spring allergens and your bodymind allows, and trust in the new life that is (finally) blossoming all around us. Perhaps you’ll also discover some new life unfurling within you as well.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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The Living Table Adventure….I’m in!!!
Excellent!
I’m with Sandy❣️
Living Table is always an adventure. Our faith in each other is very special and on display on Sundays and beyond.
Agreed. Let the adventure continue!