Faith Revisited

My journeys to Pearlington have been journeys of Faith; Faith that my going had meaning and Faith that each and every moment I could do my part to enable resource to meet need. It’s been one of the most personally meaningful experiences of my life and has taught me much about introducing resource to need within the context of my own life and that of my family and work.

As I explore Faith and as I observe and experience its movement in my life, I would like to share with you what I have learned, so far:

1. The antithesis, the opposite, of Faith is Control. Control is an illusion and it always has been. We are not in control of anyone or anything. We are often just barely in control of ourselves. Those of us who have danced with Katrina know surely that we cannot control the weather. What we can do is adapt, by surrendering to it or getting out of its way. It is the same with everything; we adapt or resist. Resistance has always caused us pain and loss, for resistance is an attempt at control and we insist on thinking we can control things that are way beyond our capacity to alter or affect. When we accept this simple truth we can find peace and power in the adaptations we choose - the shelter, the raincoat, the umbrella. But we will not stop the shower, nor should we. Surrendering to the inevitability of actions being taken outside ourselves and adapting, by allowing the experience or by getting out of its way, is the definition of wisdom and an expression of Faith. There is a reason it rains and thunders, even if we cannot see it in the moment. If you watch closely, you will begin to see the reasons - even for Katrina - and you will grow.

2. Faith is “becoming.” It is not “Look what I did!” but rather “Look who I am becoming!” In my practice, the question “Who will I be then?” is the one most frequently asked by those facing change. It becomes a fearful question, an unknown destination that seems to rail at all our training in outcome-based learning since kindergarten - a system almost completely devoid of Faith. Faith, like life, is a journey - not a destination. We must take ourselves on, for we will “become” who we already are, just more so. If we don’t like some parts of who we are, we must challenge ourselves to out-grow our skins, so that who we become is someone of whom we can be humbly proud. Faith is “becoming” and is in the present tense. If you have already “become” - you are done. As Richard Bach says: “Here’s test to know if your work on earth is done: if you’re still alive, it isn’t.”

3. There is a razor-thin line between Faith and Denial. Faith is authentic and requires an authenticity of being. Denial is another illusion. Authenticity requires us to honour our feelings - especially as men - and to respect what it is we really think. It calls us to never settle for less than what we truly want and need. It means we must be on the path to knowing ourselves and to never let others steal our Dreams. Faith is not pretending things are fine when they are not. That’s denial, because Faith demands rigorous self-honesty. Faith requires questioning of everything about us, not in criticism or blame, rather for information and evaluation.

4. Faith is readiness. Faith is the lover yet to appear on your porch; open your heart before you open the door. Faith is the friend yet to eat at your board; prepare the table with your favourite meal. Faith is the good deed you’ve yet to do; ready yourself with a good deed to you. Faith is a future yet to unfold; unfold yourself, so it might find you.

5. Faith is “allowing.” If you knew how to allow it, you would have by now. Face yourself and ask for help. Let go of the past, it anchors you to who you are not. Choose the option that sets you free, not the one that encumbers you further, no matter whose voice you hear in your head, whose face you see in your mind’s eye, what fear you feel in your heart. Why walk when you could fly? Ask yourself this question: “What would Faith do?” What choice would I make if I truly believed, without evidence, that I was doing the right thing for me? Don’t fully trust your head; it can be deceived and its truth is only what you believe today. Don’t fully trust your eyes; the world is full of wool. Don’t even fully trust your feelings; they are often echoes of the past. Do trust your instincts, your intuition. For if prayer is how we talk to God, intuition is how God talks to us. Then just do it and feel your heart start beating. If it feels like fear, you may very well be on the right path.


I return to Pearlington, Mississippi next Tuesday for a third dance with Katrina. And nestled, not quite forgotten, in the extreme southwest of the magnolia state - like the only marble in the corner of a bag - I will continue my journey of Faith.