Linda Faith in Action
Like the creation of the earth, faith also has two creative periods: a spiritual creation and a temporal creation. “The substance of things hoped for” occurs in the spiritual creation; “the evidence of things not seen” occurs in the temporal creation.
Using Paul’s definition of faith, the spiritual creation is linked to the temporal creation with the common coupler hope. As with God so with us—everything should first begin spiritually and then be carried out temporally. The spiritual deals with the purpose, the principles, the plan, the model, the organization of laws, the gathering of materials, the preparation, the first step into the shadows of uncertainty. With complete preparation comes hope that the mission can be accomplished. The temporal deals with courage, labor, action, and endurance. Faith gives power and inspires action. Fear parts like a curtain of darkness before the firm walk of faith as darkness gives way to light. Faith is a step into the darkness. Hope is a step into the light. From faith springs hope and from hope springs action.
I had a unique experience that has stuck firmly in my mind. I was in Wittenberg, Germany. Wittenberg has two great claims to fame. One, it is the home of the legendary Doctor Faustus who sold his soul to the devil for fame and glory. His story was made famous by the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the English writer Christopher Marlowe. But I suppose Wittenberg is most famous for its favorite son, Martin Luther, who is credited for starting the Protestant Reformation by tacking the 95 Theses attacking the Catholic Church to the church door in 1517.
As I was walking on the cobblestone streets of Wittenberg from Martin Luther’s apartment to the Castle Church, a strong feeling came over me that I was walking too slowly. I felt that great man’s spirit pushing me forward. I quickened my step. Luther’s faith did not begin with writing the ninety-five theses. That was an exercise of a highly trained intellect with inspired conviction. Luther’s faith began with the first step down the cobblestone street toward Castle Church and increased with each swift step. Hope sprang to light when the Castle Church first came into view. I am speaking of the strong emotional feeling that came over me as I followed his footsteps.
Faith is a journey from the evidence of things not seen to the substance of things hoped for. Notice that hope is the link between desire and fulfilment. Faith inspires action. Hope connects faith to realization of achievement. Faith begins when you think you can do something, Hope begins when you believe you can do it. Faith carries you through the darkness of uncertainty; hope carries you through the stages of certainty. In a way, perhaps, faith forms our first step and hope quickens the pace. First, we have the passion, the vision or dream or desire. Next, to the definitive degree, we create a plan to carry out the desire. We form the principles of organization. We contemplate the opposition. We acquire the tools, forces, materials, expertise, education, architectural drawings, etc. necessary to carry out the dream. Next, we organize a complete set of laws that will see the project through. Finally, using the materials collected, we build the dream. If any stage is left out, the dream will generally fail and our faith with it. Martin Luther could have written the Ninety-Five Theses, but what if he hadn’t tacked them to the Church door? That brief mile walk of Luther over cobbled stone streets circled the globe and changed the world.
