So let’s go back to the definition of faith we’ve
been working with. “Faith is a state of relative certainty about matters of
ultimate concern sufficient to promote action.”
Faith is our basic operating system, our
worldview of how life operates, where the connecting points between the divine
and human exist and what they imply about how to live life in the now and
here-after. We all have a basic faith. So the process of healthy living is to
evaluate that worldview as time goes on to make sure it’s based on as much
reality as possible and that it works itself out as effectively as possible in
today’s world. The truth is, we need regular “upgrades.”
So how does that part work? Unlike our
computers, where we receive information about operating system upgrades as
often as they come out on the market, in our faith life we don’t necessarily
receive those advertisements. But perhaps they do come to us in different forms
and equally frequent?
Here are some questions to ask yourself regularly
as an evaluation of your need to upgrade your faith:
1. Does your current worldview adequately answer
some of the basic questions of life such as: Where have I come from? What is my
purpose in the world? Where am I going ultimately? How do I explain evil and
suffering in the world? Does that explanation make sense to those who are suffering?
Does it provide a modicum of comfort and hope?
2. Does your current worldview give you courage
and strength to face the difficulties of life? Does it give you a reason to
live, even when the going gets tough? Does it give empowerment to others going
through difficulties?
3. Does your current worldview prompt you to an
active life of compassion, justice and service to others? Does it reinforce the
human core value of equal rights and respect for all? And does that empower you
to treat all others in harmony with those values? Does your current worldview
center around the highest core values of what it means to be human? Does it
bring out the best in you and others?
4. Does your current worldview shape you into a
person that people enjoy being around? Does it give you a humble confidence in
who you are and what you’re all about? Does it make you approachable to people
who are uncertain about themselves or life in general? Does it make you a
person who listens well?
5. Does your current worldview empower you to
face death with confidence, no regrets, and peace?
6. Does your current worldview leave open the
possibility of God? If so, how you describe God? If not, what do you replace
the God-factor with?
If you answer no to any of these questions, or
if your answers are a bit hazy or incomplete, then you would benefit from a
faith upgrade. So how does a faith upgrade take place most effectively?
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