A Spiritual Word: Faith

“And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.” - 1st John 5:4b

This year, the people of South Africa have taught me the power of faith. Throughout my life, people have demonstrated the power of faith. Yet, this year, I have noticed how many South Africans I walk beside allow faith to be the driving force in their lives. Whether noticing faith playing such an important role in people’s lives is based on my own maturity and mindset, I am not sure. However, it does seem that faith conflicts with many ideals of American society: independence, control, and material wealth. Predominantly, I’ve questioned the American value of a sense of control. So often, I’ve place my knowledge and rationale in the navigating seat, moving faith to the backseat. If you want a job done right, you’ve got to do it yourself, right? Yet, in 1st John, John says that faith conquers the world. Faith is the true source of power. Do we truly think the good actions that come from us are our work alone? If all good comes from God, shouldn’t we want God in control? Are we putting aside our personal desires to allow the Spirit to move us? Why is faith’s power so difficult to believe?
Confusion spins my head; I paraphrase in shock what I just heard: “You’re giving a half hour message at church in an hour and a half and you don’t know what you’re going to talk about?” Londeka, my friend, replies, “How can I speak if he [God] hasn’t first spoken to me?” She makes a good point. Londeka continues to explain that she usually spends a full day with God in prayer to come up with a message, but the pastor had only asked her the night before and she had to work today. Initially, I couldn’t comprehend how Londeka had not figured out what to say- in my mind, she needed to know thoroughly what she would speak about in less than two hours. Yet, Londeka chose to have faith in God that he would guide her message. I may have chosen to push through a message, because providing a message was my responsibility. Londeka demonstrated the power of her faith as she truly trusted him to guide her.
One week at PACSA, I had no given tasks except to learn more about the organization. Although this may sound unproductive, this week was one of my most significant weeks at PACSA. God calls us in surprising ways. On each of the two days, a person shared with me scars from their past. Samantha* shared with me about how she was raped. I was only the fifth person Samantha had told about this life-changing event that happened years earlier. Michelle* told me about how her uncle, who served as her father figure, abused her into her twenties. At first glance, I do not see these women’s scars – I see their faith. These two women glow with a spiritual aura.
When I asked Michelle* where her faith comes from, she answered, “I’ve allowed God to bring his peace within me.” She humbly continued: “I guess the people that have everything going for them are less reliant on God.” I wonder if I have too much going for me. I believe being born into true wealth is primarily being born into a loving and supportive family. Material wealth is secondary. We say we want material comfort, yet, inherently having material comfort based on the family I was born into, I doubt that I truly appreciate the abundant gifts in my life. I can’t imagine growing up in an abusive environment. My stomach ties in knots just trying to imagine myself in an abusive situation. How does Michelle find the strength to be a glowing example of God’s love? This answer, perhaps, is inexplicable by reason: she has faith.
I asked Samantha why she has faith. She explained: “You first have faith,” then everything else will come by God’s power. Watching Samantha passionately describe her faith moves me. She is so down to earth that she speaks about faith in a way that I easily relate to my daily life. Sam stops me in my tracks when she states: “With faith we can say to God: we believe you even though the flesh says, ‘no, man, you’re being stupid.’” When’s the last time you did something the flesh, or the world, said was stupid because your faith moved you counter to the ways of the world?
Two weeks ago, three fellow YAGMs and I were withdrawing money in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, for our week of vacation. That day, I wore a classic travel outfit- highlighting my long skirt covering my money/passport belt. After withdrawing money, I tried to discretely put my money and credit card in my money belt. As we started walking towards the market, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Instantly, the thought ran through my mind that the person who tapped me probably wanted to sell me something. I turned around anyway. A young man held out my credit card. My jaw dropped in shock. As I said thank you and took my card from his hand, my mind fumbled with what to do: give him money? I didn’t have anything with me of material value to give him. Yet, before I could collect myself, he swiftly turned and disappeared. Why did the man give me, a relatively wealthy, foreign, white person, back my credit card? It is experiences such as this that remind me that I am interconnected with others by something larger than myself.
My faith is affirmed every time someone squeezes my hand, lights up with a soul smile, and sings to glorify God without reservation. The people I’ve met in South Africa walk with a special light-a light that allows you to connect to the core of the person. The connection I’ve made with many people reinforces my faith in humanity, as God exists in every one of us. In a completely new community, culture, context, role, etc., I have had to trust God more this year and I feel that my trust in God has strengthened. Daily, I ask God to walk with me as I walk alongside the inspiring people of South Africa.
I have faith because I cannot believe that love is a mistake. I have faith because I cannot believe that this universe is solely a physical phenomenon. I have faith because I look into a person’s eyes and I see a soul. Life does not make sense to me in any other way but to live by faith.

God- Please help us allow you to fill us with your peace so that we may live faithful to you. Amen

*Pseudonyms are used in respect of the women