![Movie poster for "Love and Death"](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_lightbox/hash/8c/6f/8c6f5431eaf757c78862efe279ffc1be.jpg "Movie poster for "Love and Death"")
Has your faith ever waned? If you're like most people, then it probably has. We can have very strong faith one day, muted faith the next. It's annoying, but sometimes we are bombarded with such negative vibes from most of America regarding Christianity that it's sometimes hard to not start questioning. The more we see our Christian brothers and sisters (inadvertantly or otherwise) making us look ridiculous, the less faith we sometimes have in Christianity.
In the Woody Allen film Love and Death, there are a few different discussions between Allen's and Diane Keaton's characters about whether or not God actually exists. These are funny moments, but no conclusive answers are given. At one point an angel appears to Allen and tells him something that ultimately does not happen. A "sign" that he's been looking for the entire movie. Yet even after his death, Allen doesn't denounce God, he just calls him an "underachiever". Well, maybe that is denouncement after all. Watching the movie brought to mind a few ideas.
Is God in fact an underachiever? The argument can be made that God is the greatest achiever. The Bible tells us that He is just, and that He loves us enough to let us make our own decisions. Does He know what we're going to do? From what scripture tells us, yes...but doesn't it take real love to allow someone to do what they please rather than force them into something? Yes He commands us to worship Him and to follow certain moral guidelines...but those are for our own good. Whose life isn't better because of not murdering someone? Whose life hasn't benefited from peaceful living, from giving to the needy? God gives us situations in our lives where we don't have much of a choice but to follow His directions. But there is still a choice, just not much of one. If we disobey, that's our decision. But if we don't want to disobey, we find ourselves doing our best for His work. Think about Jonah, running and running and constantly tripping up before finally submitting to doing to doing what God asked despite his hesitations. But it's also possible that after all his ordeals, he could have still run away from what God wanted. It was his choice.
So how can we deal with our waning faith? By trusting in His word. Jeremiah 29:11 says:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)
The word "faith" is both simple and complex. It sounds so easy to simply believe, but takes a lifetime of choices to actually understand.
Comments
Very nice article. I know this young man and he actually lives his faith. His mother and I are so proud of his deep faith in Jesus Christ. Please support Adam's writings. I am already looking forward to the next article.
Great article and very true. Adam, I am very proud of you and what you stand for! Thanks for being a great leader and role model for others.
Great job Adam. So many people find it hard in " todat's times" to find someone standing strong for God, but the Bible calls it " our reasonable service". Standing for God doesn't impress me as much as showing God's wisdom through our words and actions. And it is evident that God is living and working in your life. You are in our prayers, your brother in Christ.
Great article and you know negativity is so hard to steer from these days. So many people, especially these so-called Christians who claim to walk in faith but do nothing but tear people down with their attitudes. It's people like yourself that walk the walk and witness to people through your actions and words. Great job!
GREAT JOB!!!!! WOO WOO ;}
Adam you are so right. God does have a plan for our lives if we will only trust Him. Thank you for sharing this and reminding of us of Christ's love for us. All we have to do is have faith!
Great article Adam, keep up the good work and I know God does have something special for you.
I loved it! Good job bruncle :)
Adam, good job! I don't know anyone that hasn't dealt with failing faith in their life. All the men in the Bible failed God in one way or another but they have taught us that God forgives and continues to work on us.
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