Living in a retirement village I see many people on mobility scooters, pushing walking frames, using walking sticks and even using crutches post surgery....or after a fall. These things are a reality of ageing, but very useful for keeping one up and walking safely.
Just this week I was chatting with an older man about the issue of personal faith. His wife is a believer, but he is not, because, he said, "No matter how hard I try I cannot believe. I don't understand the Bible" He then went on to say, "I know everyone needs a crutch.....". As I have thought on this comment, (it's certainly not the first time I've heard it), I'm challenged to say that faith in a creator God is certainly more than a crutch. It is a whole, solid foundation for life.
Jesus told a parable about 2 men who each built themselves a house. One chose the beach with sand as it's foundation, while another went to much more trouble, effort, and probably cost, and built his house upon a rock. All was fine while the weather was good, but when the storm came the house on the rock was the one that survived.
For each of us life comes with storms, some that threaten our foundations leaving us with questions. Often these take the form of 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why me?', or 'Why them?' or 'God what are you doing?' That is normal. I remember the lovely man of faith, Rev Charles Stanley telling the story of a fall he took in later life which necessitated a time in hospital. His question as he lay on the floor was, "God what are you up to in this situation?' During his time in hospital he was able to share his faith in Jesus Christ and bring hope to others.
Charles Stanley's faith was not a crutch, it was a foundation that could not be shaken. He knew he was in God's hands. He believed God's word which says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good....." Romans 8:28. The Apostle Paul who wrote those words also wrote this further on...."Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?........I am persuaded that NOTHING shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus".
My friend's other problem was that he couldn't understand the Bible. Perhaps that's your problem too. That is because there's a missing dimension in your life. With a confession of faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son, comes the gift of the Holy Spirit who is the one who leads us into all truth." He makes sense of God's word to us as we take time to study it. It doesn't mean we won't still have questions.
I have studied the Bible with others for many years and there are still some things I don't understand. However I know, and I believe in my heart that God's word is His truth and I have embraced it to become my truth. It is the foundation of my life. It doesn't feel anything like a crutch, it is a rock, a firm foundation, a comfort in times of questioning.
It also brings a confidence and great peace, knowing that God IS in control in this floundering and crazy world, and that His purposes WILL be fulfilled. For the followers of Christ, that is a foundation of hope in the perfect new world to come, when this one has run its awful course.
PRAYER: Father God, help me to have more than crutch. May my foundation be faith in you and your Son, Jesus Christ and the truth of your word. Amen
