Faith is a journey!  You've probably heard that before, but did you know that it's a journey in two parts?  There's the journey of discovery:  finding out who are we, what our gifts are, and what God wants us to do with our lives.  To do this well, we have to trust the truth of Sabbath:  that we are created by and within God and that we are loved completely by God as we are and where we are.  

There's also the journey of actually living:  walking the walk of faith.  It's not enough to learn who we are and discern God's calling.  We have to our gifts and be faithful to that calling.  To find the quality of life the Gospel of John calls abundant, we have to apply our discoveries to the events of our lives.  It is a Stewardship process of using these gifts and experiences in sync with the values of what Jesus called The Kingdom of God. (from Invitations by Francis Dewar, SPCK, 1991)

There are also two steps when it comes to living out our faith.  In following Jesus, for example, we need to decide what his example, his teaching, and the Christian tradition mean for us theologically.  Then, we need to turn the corner in terms of the implications of our faith and apply what we believe to the real-world issues we face as human beings:  issues like healthcare, abortion, etc.  Every step of the journey requires of us a faith that is passionate, humble, and growing.     

My views on the healthcare debate (see last week's E-notes) reflect the implications of my understanding of what Jesus taught and of what his life's example means to me.  I shared my views to encourage you to decide what the meaning of Jesus' message is for yourself.  It is far easier to keep our views and actions on divisive issues under wraps to avoid conflict.  It is also easier to identify with one dimension of an issue and demonize the other side.  The stance that requires faith is to work out what you think and feel and then enter into conversation without blame or judgment with others who think and feel differently.  Let us work to build communities for and with people who may not share our opinions, but who share our commitment to respectful conversation and meaningful action.  

Jesus is for all of us, revealing God's active love for every person.  It does not matter that we advocate a certain position.  His teachings direct us to notice and reach out to people living in the shadows of life.  His presence allows and encourages each of us to see and embrace the dark places of our own personalities.  Faith tells us that the wisdom revealed in our differences reflects the wisdom of God.   As we find places of disagreement with each other, then, let us commit to be in relationship and community with each other, to love each other by seeking the best for each other, and to trust that we all live, move, and exist within the life of God.

Thanks for continuing to bless me as we journey together.
  
Jack Price

FYI - Jack has published several articles at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jack_F_Price

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