Thoughts about FAITH

FAITH - [Finding Authenticity In Today's Happenings]

Many people believe that faith is stable and never changes - "as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen." When speaking about or quoting the Bible I have often heard people claim, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it." Indeed faith can be a very powerful force in our lives as noted in Hebrews chapter 11. It begins in verse one (KJV), "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," going on to mention a number of persons who accomplished much because of their faith.

When the scriptures were written much of life was a mystery and the earth was considered the center around which the heavens and the nether world revolved. While the earlier version is no longer true in today's understanding of the universe, these concepts and words are used today even though their meanings have changed. Indeed, we now realize that we are living in a universe that continues to change, producing a magnificent diversity that enhances the equality and importance to the whole creation.

It should not be surprising then that our faith today must be quite different in the breath and depth given today's knowledge and understanding. This is why I have attempted to broaden our present awareness of faith by sharing this acronym.

1. Faith is a gift that must always be found and discovered personally. Faith, in the lives of our fore-parents, was uniquely present within their time, place, and circumstances and gave them support as the occasion required.
2. Faith must be authentic for each individual in order to give certainty, adequacy and comfort in moving forward. Verifiable facts that are more readily available today bring an authenticity that increases the value of our personal faith.
3. As faith builds and is realized in the existential moments of our lives each day we continue to gather and utilize the strength and confidence it brings.
4. Today's happenings are more comprehensive and efficient to strengthen and support us in the rapidity of change, diversity, and equality in living well, individually and collectively.

Faith comes and grows by practicing a way of living whereby we learn to live well day by day. Practicing the authentic - "not counterfeit or copied, conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief" - is essential. Practice that is good, attentive, constructive and consistent is what moves us toward a beneficial lifestyle. Finding that authenticity each day in today's happenings is the faith for which we all must strive.

Gerard A. Pisani, Jr.