Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon

What do we do when, like John Wesley, we find our faith in question? What happens when we wonder about the veracity of what we believe? Where do we turn and how do we work our way out of our questioning attitude and our cynicism?

We noted that often the "founders have floundered". John Wesley, Paul, Jesus, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther, and many other people of faith have had what Kierkegaard called "the dark night of the soul".

There isn't a person of faith who hasn't had moments of confusion and doubt. There are two things we do when we flounder.

1. We fake it until we make it. Wesley was told to "preach faith until he had faith". We can act "as if" until "as if" becomes "is".

2. We get it and then we let it go. There will come a time when there is a glimpse of faith and we allow it to move us where it will. Wesley called it "moving on to perfection" and suggested it is "by faith alone".

The points of the sermon:

a. The founder floundered
b. He faked it until he could make it
c. He found that he could get it and then he let it go

There is a dishonoring of the struggle if this process is presented as easy, because faith is not easy. It is always a struggle. But it does suggest that we never want to wallow in our doubt and cynicism and we always want to try to move forward.

What do you think? If you have some reflections write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster