How Much Faith is Enough?
Stan and I recently found ourselves in deep discussion regarding faith and healing. Although both possessing faith, we each divulged we felt a lack as well, somewhat resembling the father of the sick boy, when he transparently admitted to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Currently finding ourselves in a serious season of contending, desperately in need of more than one miracle, we stand firm in that we know God is our Healer and Provider. Yet at the same time, we seem to lack that which we so desperately need - greater faith.
My son once asked me, “How sure are you that God, Jesus, Heaven, all of it, exists?” “Honestly?” I replied, “99.99%,” expecting him to be a bit surprised. But he wasn’t surprised at all, as he replied, “That’s how I answered also. Don’t you think if our answer had been 100%, we wouldn’t be human, as faith wouldn’t be required?” Smart man, that boy of mine.
I realize that I've written about the topic of Faith before, however it's nothing short of complex and there's so much to discuss. I admittedly don’t fully understand the vast sum of it all. I try my best, sometimes feeling that I’ve somewhat grasped it’s meaning, only to then realize I haven’t even begun. At times I feel solid, unmovable, and unshakable in my faith, fully convinced that God hears, sees and will definitely answer. Then there are those moments of question, fear, wondering if I have nearly enough faith to please God, prompting Him to do that which needs to be accomplished. The crazy thing is, sometimes the transition from both of these perspectives can take place in a matter of mere minutes!
Then I am reminded…it’s not about anything I can conjure up. Instead, it’s about my utter and complete trust in God – His mercy, grace, timing, and perfect will, as well as the ultimate execution of His power. Once again, I am reminded of my propensity to reduce God to a formula - if I do A, B, and C; then He must do D, E and F. In other words, if I pray, read the Word, worship and live a holy life, then He will do what I ask. No go. God doesn’t work that way. When I make it about my will power, I deny His power.
Although we stand on faith and God’s Word, we claim His promises, and we believe what He says, we can’t manipulate or tell God how to do His job. Trust me, I’ve tried. We’re not His boss. Nor can we work a “formula” to ensure our preferred outcome. Our job, rather, is to trust God to get the job done…however He ultimately chooses – which ultimately, is faith. By doing so, we are allowing His perfect will to manifest itself, resulting in the best ultimate outcome, whether or not we are capable of its recognition. It is then that we allow God to be God.
In his book, Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis tells the story of when, as a young boy, he prayed for his mother’s healing following her diagnosis with cancer. Doing everything within his power to contend, fight, and believe, the healing didn’t happen. Later, as an adult, he came to realize, “I think the truth is that the belief into which I hypnotized myself was itself too irreligious for its failure to cause any religious revolution. I had approached God, or my idea of God, without love, without awe, even without fear. He was, in my mental picture of this miracle, to appear neither as Savior nor as Judge, but merely as a magician…”
How often are we guilty of the same – approaching God without love, awe or fear, negating Him of His position as both Savior and Judge, reducing him to a magician? Do we take that which is good (faith, prayer, belief), and turn it into some sort of irreligious exercise, elevating ourselves to the place of being responsible? Have we somehow seduced ourselves into believing we are actually the one in control – controlling the circumstances, outcomes, even God Himself?
I believe in faith and its necessity. I want more of it. I believe in prayer, contending for miracles, and that we are in a spiritual war. I believe there are times and situations in which we must bind up that which is of the enemy and loose that which is of God. However…in “fighting the good fight,” in no way can we attempt to manipulate the ultimate appearance of the miracle. This means that we can never get bossy, demand, or tell God how to do His job. We are His servants. He is not ours. What He decides, He decides.
It’s quite easy for contending to turn into something else – that of demanding – which presents itself with an arrogance on our part, putting ourselves above God. In contrast, when we contend in humility, there comes an acceptance and an understanding that perhaps there may be a larger picture, something which we are incapable of understanding with our human capabilities. Something that only God can understand. Therefore, we trust God with the ultimate result. He knows what He’s doing. When we arrive at this beautiful, intimate, place of freedom, it is then that we can sincerely pray and declare the prayer that never fails – “Thy will be done.” The burden is then lifted, expanding potential outcomes. We can rest and breathe, knowing that whatever happens, He is who He says He is – a good Father with good plans for His children.
Yes, faith is needed, important, and even required. Our entire Christian belief system is built upon it. But as the young boy’s father asked Jesus, “Help my unbelief,” let’s not be afraid to seek out Jesus in the same way…asking Him to intervene where we lack, admitting that we need help, releasing ourselves of the burden to “produce” our own faith. When we do this in humility, He always steps in, the end result being His divine and perfect will.
