The Old Man on Faith
When we met again he asked, “Aren’t you curious
to know why believers have such strong faith in God?”
I shrugged, having so enjoyed his sermon the first
time. “Well, most people think we’re just hicks, with precious
little sense. But really, we just don’t need to see
something to believe it, or measure it to trust.
“It’s a simple difference in what we choose to trust.
Some say wishful thinking fools us. I’m curious
why they never try that shoe on their own foot? See,
it could be they’re unable to acknowledge God
because their own godless worldview is too precious.
Why? Maybe because it lets them put themselves first!
“Everyone wants to place his own opinions first.
Commandments to obey? or church doctrine to trust?
Who needs that? Yet if we hold our ways too precious,
we blind ourselves. What happened to that curious
question ‘Am I right?’ While weighing its answer, God
might be just the one to fill in what we don’t see.
“Senses and reason can only judge what they see.
What if we look at different things? Let’s try that first!
When have scientists and atheists looked for God?
If they won’t look, are their conclusions worth our trust?
‘Myth, culture, delusion’...they choose some curious
words, for something they haven’t studied! Too... precious.
“What of healings, visions, tongues, and other precious
gifts? If you explain them based on what we see,
the explanations indeed become curious!
Yet ask Christians what happened at the very first
and we know. Ask us the hard questions and we trust
Jesus for answers. Stump us, and we point to God.
“Man will never explain creation without God.
Both small and large approach infinity. Precious
mystery always prevails. At some point we must trust
someone’s account regarding the things we can’t see...
Will you ask a proud man for his reckless guess first,
or look to the Lord your Maker? Just curious.”
When he had gone, the first thing I did was pray God
would keep my heart curious to seek His precious
secrets, and wise, to trust in what I cannot see.