My Questionable Faith!

   I was born into a Catholic family.  I learned the Catholic Christian ways of worshipping, Catechism lessons, prepared for and received Sacraments, etc. that were part of growing up Catholic.  This was the faith of my parents that was handed on to me.

   Then it came, the point of questioning.  Why was I Catholic?  Did I want this faith for myself?  The answer was (and is) “Yes!”  I was looking for faith in my life and what I also found was life in my faith.

   My questions are signs of my hunger and thirst for God.  The answers are nourishment for the seeds of my faith.  If I don’t have the questions, whether in my mind, on my lips or in my heart, then I am probably not ready for the answers.

   When I ask the questions, that opens the way to let God in.  God’s answers could be through what someone else says, a book I read, or even in my thoughts (to name a few ways).  Most times I am astounded at the messages God pours into my life.

   Does the Word of God have a message that is alive for me?  In reading other people’s writings, listening to talks, and participating in discussions, I see new messages.  I can even relate more closely with the Gospel writers.

   I don’t think that they set out to be Gospel writers, but they were keeping journals of how they saw Jesus working in their lives and in the lives of others around them.  The stories of my faith walk are part of the gospel according to Ian.  Through prayer God’s Word comes alive in us.

   Storytelling is another way I gain understanding of God’s message.  I’ve learned that knowledge of the background, the circumstances and the customs fill in some gaps in the Gospel stories as well as other Bible writings.

   Jesus used stories to share God’s message.  The parables are a great teaching tool, but I’ve come up with many questions because of their vagueness.

   Those questions have been the hunger and thirst for God’s answers.  Those responses from God feed and quench what my faith needs to grow.  Our faith needs the nourishment just like our body, so don’t settle for junk food.  Pray about it and God will lead you to good resources.

   The positive effect of “my questionable faith,” is I’m growing closer to God.  Take advantage of your questionable faith; the benefits are fantastic.