Faith Is Not to Have a Perfect Knowledge
November 30, 1952
We hear much concerning the need for faith – faith is the future, faith in God, faith in the unknown – but what is this faith that is so freely talked off Faith is that quality that enables men to believe things they cannot see or touch – to trust for things that enables men to believe things they cannot see or touch – to trust for things that have not yet happened. Faith is that quality which enables a man to rise above a misfortune that does not seem to be deserved, to live enables a man to rise above a misfortune that does not seem to be deserved, to live above a sorrow he cannot understand and not become bitter. Faith is the quality which sets apart a man of humble trust form a trouble cynic. But even those who deny the effectiveness of faith have more faith than they sometimes suppose – and we all live by faith much more than we know – for no one knows what tomorrow will bring, and without faith despair would be complete. We show a measure of faith when we eat food that someone else has complete. We show a measure of faith when we eat food that someone else has prepared. We show faith when we follow the directions of a doctor. We show faith when we invest our money. We show faith when we plow a plant and expect to have a harvest. You see it is not such an unusual quality as some would suppose. Faith is that quality of trust which prevents the uncertainty of the future from destroying the opportunities of the present – which brings peace in the midst of confusion, and sleep even while some problems are unsolved. Faith is trust, belief, conviction, a force in the lives of all balanced men, and it leaves an awful emptiness when it dies or departs. Blessed are ye if ye have faith.