Faith is often defined as a belief in something for which there is no proof. Faith means trusting in someone or something that you cannot see, describe or quantify. Faith means that often, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, you firmly believe that what you are doing or believing in, is in fact, true. Faith often cannot be explained, it is frequently mocked, it does not always seem to be backed up by any evidence whatsoever; yet, as it has also been described, faith can move mountains.
Faith, of course, has also led to wars, crusades and even today, political disagreements. Faith has frequently led people down wrong paths, caused feuds to smolder for generations and led to the founding of many of today’s religious denominations. In spite of all of this, faith endures and remains the bedrock of many of today’s institutions, churches, synagogues and mosques. Faith lives on in the 21st century.
Time magazine recently stated that over 85% of Americans believe in Heaven. Faith drives us to this belief and the promise of life after death draws millions of people to church today, Easter Sunday, to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and His victory over death. Millions of these worshipers will arrive today to sing and pray not only for their risen Lord, but also for their firm faith and belief that someday,they too, will also rise from the dead and enjoy eternal life in Heaven. Faith drives their beliefs.
Faith also drives parents when they welcome their newborn into the world. As anyone who has witnessed this remarkable event will tell you, you instantly become a believer in miracles at the moment of the birth of your child. You also immediately develop an attachment to the tiny human being you are holding in your arms. In that instant you develop a lasting faith in the potential of your child and a belief that they will find success in this world and make their mark. Faith in their future also enters your world on that special day.
Faith lifts parents to be more than they ever could be, because none of these infants arrives with a users manual or written directions. Yet somehow, every parent eventually figures out how to become a Mom or a Dad and usually, everything turns out just fine. Faith allows that to happen.
Faith drives that young child and leads them to the decisions that will shape her life. Faith leads him toward the career of his choice and faith leads her to develop skills that will last a lifetime. Faith leads him toward a lifelong partner and faith leads her to that special person she can spend the rest of her life with. No book can ever tell that child what she will become, yet faith drives her to accomplish her dreams and desires and molds her into the adult she will one day become. Faith allows him to develop his talents and use them as only he can. Faith helps to mold your child’s future.
Faith cannot be seen, defined or quantified, yet it is real, tangible and hopefully, present in all of us. Faith can make us better and shape all of our tomorrows. Faith makes us human.
My father used to tell me, as he left for work, “Keep the faith.” I still remember the look on his face when he spoke those words. He would smile a smile that led me to believe he knew more than he was telling me by that short statement. And now, years later, I am just beginning to understand what he was really saying as he left our house. Though he worked for decades as a doughnut baker, toiling over a hot oven, he was also one of the wisest human beings I have ever known. So today, on this Easter Sunday, I can give you no better gift than to repeat the words of that wise old man from Buffalo, New York, and wish you a “Happy Easter.” And may you forever “Keep the Faith.”