The definition of the word faith, according to the 2b definition on merriam-webster.com, is “a firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” Hmm….
Well, obviously I do have some faith for I am sitting in a chair that was manufactured by some machines built by some people off somewhere in some other state (or country). I sure hope that it doesn’t break right underneath me. Let’s just assume it won’t that way I can continue my blogging.
If faith is a belief in something for which there is no tactile proof, why do I, as a pronounced Christian, put my “faith” in this God I call the Almighty and then get my feathers ruffled when others might question His very existence? Or maybe not so much His existence, but His proactive participation in their life. I mean, really. It should be obvious to those “other” people that don’t have faith the size of a mustard seed that He is who he says He is. I am really not a sarcastic person by nature, but I’m thinking this through as I am typing (possibly not a smart thing) and see my very own fault for this. Why? Well, that is the beautiful thing about keeping old writings. I can see, because there IS proof, of my questions and self-pitying. “Lord, I don’t understand this or YOU!” “Why does it have to be THIS way?” “When will you come through with that I wanted? Remember, I asked you for that a long time ago.” However, in the very same sitting I see myself giving in, giving in to these few words: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This is the New International Translation of Hebrews 11:1. Let’s look at the King James Version: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That definition of faith can certainly be tied back to the first, but there is something more that lies within it.
I was doing a word study at bibletools.org and hopefaithprayer.com on the Greek word “hupostasis” (Aside: please do not take my word for this, go and study for yourself). The word “hupostasis” which was used to define faith, at best, has about three English translations. We have confidence, assurance, substance. Wow, so that means, if I am decent at math, that Substance = Faith. Correct? Faith= Assurance? Confidence= Faith? Then, possibly, it could also possibly be called a foundation.
This is so interesting when we live in a world that might equate the Merriam-webster definition of “faith” with “kinda weird”, “brainless”, “uneducated”, “brainwashed”, “believing in the unseen”.
Going back to my old writings from 2007 (remind you, were filled with questions), I see that I gave in to that English translation of the Hebrews 11:1 scripture, because I had learned that it was better to place my “hupostasis” in this God. This God that I loved and put my “hupostasis” in paved a way for me out of hopelessness to a life of purpose in 2006. I could go into details, but that would take up a chapter book. So, while working out my questions in 2007, I had substance and assurance from my experiences in 2006 that my “hupostasis” could be confidently placed in this God.
I have to share a snippet of something I wrote on July 17th, 2007. Not so that I can look super spiritual, but so that the Father might receive glory.
7/17/07 (21 yrs old)- working at Texas Lions Camp
Hope for things unseen!
Lord, I lift up my husband to You. As you are growing me and teaching me in this time of solitude and sometimes lonliness, You are more real than ever. As I write and pray in my heart these very words, I am confident that You are with him, molding him into the man after Your heart. I have such confidence in that! Surround him with Christian friends, but also pull him out into intimate alone time with You. Teach him to cherish this time alone with You, just as I am learning to cherish it. Guide our paths together, work behind the scenes. As your word says, You guide the footsteps of the righteous man, and I pray each of his steps are blessed with joy, but most of all, learning dependence in You alone.
Almost three years later I married that man I prayed for. A man whose character and service exceeds what I fathomed. But what I find so interesting is that, as I had committed to praying for godly men to surround him, my husband had moved into a house full of god-fearing college guys! I am not saying that is just because I was praying for it. He had many people praying for him. But it is so, I hesitate to use this word but I will, validating to hear stories three years after a specific time of prayer and to see how the Lord “worked behind the scenes”.
I could go on with other “post-operative” stories in which He provided provision and possibilities and purpose just because of believing He is who He says He is. He is so many names, and yet I have an affinity for "Provider". Because He has been my Provider. He is. He will be.
Living life by(with) faith=Living life by(with) hupostasis=Living life by(with) assurance. Praying by(with) faith=Praying by(with) hupostasis= Praying by(with) assurance. No matter how many wonderful conversations I have with people that are struggling with putting their faith in a Savior that they cannot see, I still come back to the basics. The foundation, the underlying confidence that I place in my Savior is because He is who He says He is. He must be. He has to be. And if He isn’t, then at least I lived a life putting my “hupostasis” in Someone that has given me a reason to hope. Call me brainless, call me “uneducated” and “kinda weird”. It’s okay. For my quality of life is beyond the riches that THIS world could afford me.
In whom or what are you putting your “hupostasis”?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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