"I no longer practice my faith." This line shimmered* for me as I sat listening to a teenager, and while the phrase is common, I began to consider what this phrase may mean.
Is faith a guitar? 6 (maybe 12) strings you tune then pick and strum everything from Elvis, to the BeeGees, to Nirvana (and now, Taylor Swift)? And then the revelation of alternate tunings creates a drone with every chord or ushers you into yet another musical form?
Is faith another language? Learning anew how to say "hello, my name is. . .where is the toilet, please?" Figuring out how words fit together differently than in your native grammar. Realizing you have to use your tongue, teeth and mouth with more "hutzpah" or trill or tone. Even the shape of the constants and vowels are alien, what looks recognizable sounds foreign when said.
Is faith a sport? Teams tusseling on turf; tackling, sacking, striving to reach a goal to "win the prize"?
Is faith handwriting? Manuscript paper and oversized pencils for nerves not yet myelinated for fine motor control - letters writ large across the top and dotted, so you can learn the curves of faith, the areas where the spaces are large, the narrow and straight path. . .the cross?
Is faith yogic in its mantra of "practice, not perfection" - a subtle wisdom whispering of the human condition which finds us falling short as we strive for one goal or another?
As I've spent daily time in centering prayer, I understand the need for practice. My mind fills with the day ahead (or the day behind), a conversation I wanted to have but didn't. Sometimes I fall asleep and startle awake at the ending song of the singing bowl. I return to my breath, consider how to tune in to God. My dog nuzzles me for attention and love. Getting into the zone takes time.
But this is not faith. I practice because the faith has already possessed me, because I have stood in its waterfall, been splintered by its power and held by its force. And yet, it is not the greatest of all that remains.
Again, I know more can be said, but not by me. May faith find you wherever you may be.
*During the GSD workshop, "shimmer" referred to a word, phrase, image a group member used which stood out to the one listening; as sign God may want the speaker/listener to delve into the word, phrase, image more.
PRACTICE (-ING)
Lectio Divina: Read the following passage through after a few deep breaths and pay attention to any word or phrase which sticks out for you. Read through again and pay attention to anything further you notice about the word/phrase and how it applies to you. Read through again and spend time in prayer with the word/phrase asking God what you need to understand/know/do with the word/phrase (i.e., How might God be guiding you? What needs your further action? Where may your understanding need to be changed or expanded? How may this impact your relationship with someone else?). End with a time of thanksgiving.
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen."
I Corinthians 13:13
"And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love."
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