Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
—Psalm 40:4
Faith is a difficult concept—especially in today's world. It seems best represented in the eyes of many by those who shun the reality represented by science and research. Faith, therefore, is a refusal to believe that which has been proven to be true, such as the nature of the universe and the evolution of species.
The problem is, this attitude accounts for a minority of people of faith. Most of us have no problem believing that which scientists have proven. Many of us even find in scientific research more reason for our belief in a loving Creator.
One very elegant solution to this problem is to replace the word faith with the word trust. I don't need to have faith in that which has been proven to be metaphor (the 6-day creation story, a flat earth, the sudden appearance of human beings without evolution) in order to trust that God is somehow behind them all as the ultimate Source and Sustainer. And if I take Psalm 40:4 seriously, I can realize that that in which I place my trust—be it power or money or popularity or cold science—must be my god. True fulfillment in life cannot be derived from any of these false gods, but should instead be based on my trust in the One who created what is and is ever present around and within me to help bring me to where I should be.
The problem is, this attitude accounts for a minority of people of faith. Most of us have no problem believing that which scientists have proven. Many of us even find in scientific research more reason for our belief in a loving Creator.
One very elegant solution to this problem is to replace the word faith with the word trust. I don't need to have faith in that which has been proven to be metaphor (the 6-day creation story, a flat earth, the sudden appearance of human beings without evolution) in order to trust that God is somehow behind them all as the ultimate Source and Sustainer. And if I take Psalm 40:4 seriously, I can realize that that in which I place my trust—be it power or money or popularity or cold science—must be my god. True fulfillment in life cannot be derived from any of these false gods, but should instead be based on my trust in the One who created what is and is ever present around and within me to help bring me to where I should be.
Grant me true happiness, Eternal One; help me to find myself by trusting in your love above all other things. May everything else which draws me be but tools I use to serve you and my neighbor, and not that which I strive for for their own sake; in Jesus' Name, who taught me to pray: Our Father...
