Have you ever been told, "You just need to have more faith"? Perhaps you've thought, "If I just had more faith ..." Ever thought, "Maybe if I was more of an optimist than a pessimist, I might be better off"?
But where does faith come from? Where does your faith come from? In what or whom do you place your faith? Is it in the leadership of our country? Your financial nest egg? Most often it's in our own abilities and what we are able to control in our lives. We admire optimists rather than pessimists. I'm reminded of an old saying that goes something like, "A pessimist is merely an educated optimist."
For Christians, our faith is in the Lord, the perfect Father, who has chosen and called us into His family with the wonderful promise of a great, future inheritance. We have been told in His inspired word that, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.
Our hope comes from listening, not contriving or initiating something to have faith and belief in. We don't depend on faith that comes from us, or faith in anything else in this world.
As our currency says, "In God We Trust." Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
God's Word is all that we need to act " and then we are expected, compelled to act, move out, serve, trust and hope. And we shouldn't be proud of our hope or our optimistic self. Just as our salvation comes to us as a gift, so does our faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
So, if we don't have enough faith, perhaps the answer is to listen up. For those who may wonder if there really is a God " Father, Son and Holy Spirit " why not spend some time alone, in quiet, and wait, ask and listen?
When you're out alone, driving, fishing, working in the yard, make yourself available. Turn off the car radio or any other sounds as necessary. Consider the possibilities. Could you be missing the greatest opportunity there is in life? Would you like to have more faith, more hope, and a brighter outlook on life, the future, and the days to come?
The true answer isn't a church. But we, the churches in your community, would welcome the opportunity to help you find and meet the true answer.
n The Rev. Bill Baltz of Christ Presbyterian Church, 1436 Industrial Way in Gardnerville, is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
