The Kaleidoscope of Our Faith
By Susan Klein
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 (NIV)
If you had to
describe your “faith walk” to someone, what would it look like? Could you whip
out a “3-minute testimony”? Would your faith traditions and beliefs be the same
as they were ten years ago? Five years ago? Would you say that your faith walk
keeps changing, evolving? I know mine does.
Remember when every influential
evangelical believer wore a “WWJD” bracelet or sported “I’m not perfect, just
forgiven” bumper stickers? Did your kids attend AWANA or Pioneer Club, and
create “wordless books” at VBS? Was The
Purpose Driven Life or Experiencing God on your “top ten” reading list? If you’re
grinning because you can relate, then you’ve likely experienced some of the
trends and movements that have shaped the evangelical culture.
Perhaps, in your
advancing faith walk, you’ve grown more interested in issues such as Calvinism
vs. Arminianism, or prosperity teaching vs. self-denial. Or, maybe you’re just
at a point where you now seem to have more questions than you did when you
began your “faith journey.”
Not to fret. It’s
all a natural part of our ever-changing kaleidoscope of faith. Oh, we’re all still
looking toward the same Light, but the pieces inside of our scopes keep turning
around and changing shape. Not to mention, my kaleidoscope doesn’t always have
the same shapes as yours, which can make it downright “sticky” doing “Christian
Community” together. So, how do we defend the black and white’s amidst so many
grays? How do we keep from limiting something just by virtue of trying to
define it? How do we bridge the chasm of our uniquely different kaleidoscopic
views?
By understanding
that we don’t understand everything. By exercising grace and love, especially
amidst our differences. By simply allowing ourselves to be the selves that Creator
God designed us to be. By not focusing so much on the changing trends and
climate of Christianity, but rather, looking past them to the same vibrant and
welcoming Light at the end of our tubes. And, by allowing ourselves (and
others) to wake up to the possibility of new shapes and designs each day, even
if some of them unnerve us a bit. It’s okay to question, to challenge, to
wrestle, and to doubt. That’s what “faith” is all about.
GOING
DEEPER:
1. What trends or movements in our
Christian culture might have you a little bit on edge?
2. How can
you maintain your focus on what is true, and right, and pure, and praiseworthy?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and
has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and
tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood and also co-leads a Wednesday Night Community small group.
