Kenneth J. Mitchell

Faith for today
faith for tomorrow
faith you will meet me in the middle of my sorrow.
Faith for heaven and streets of gold
faith that you are the God of old.
When my faith leaves me and my knees grow weak
carry me, Lord to your holy creek.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had many conversations with my brothers and a few close friends about life and what is to come from it. The majority of our conversations come to a common conclusion. “We must live by faith.” Faith rooted in who God is and his plan. Faith that overpowers our own expectations. That kind of faith will lead us to a place of peace.

Most of my life has been a huge question of “why did this happen?” By the time I was 8 years old both of my parents had passed away. For most of my teenage years, I was angry, confused, and lost. Wondering how a “good” God could let something like this happen. The older I got the more I understood that faith is a guide to this foreign land known as life. Without it, we are left to figure things out on our own.

Clinging to faith sometimes feels like what I imagine going skydiving feels like. For the first 10 minutes, you’re hanging out in an airplane, pretty cool. Then you see people starting to stand up and orient themselves. The nerves kick in. You know what’s about to happen but maybe you stay seated for a bit longer. The door opens and the wind hits your face. It’s cold up here. One person, another, another, all letting out a shout when they leap. It’s your turn now. You step up to the door and it all sinks in. The reality of what you’re doing. There’s fear, adrenaline, a little bit of pee…But then there’s a step. A step towards the most freeing sensation you’ve ever felt. 

I truly believe it is impossible to find true healing through the finite things of this world. Therapy helps, friends are amazing, and trying to be a better person is always good. But there will be a time when all of these resources run dry and we are left with nothing but God. He is the open air that we jump into. He is the parachute. He is the captain. He is hope.

I don't know what you're going through right now. I don't know what it's like to be you. But I know one who is there to comfort you and care for the deep parts of your heart. All I can say is walk towards him in faith. Even in the uncertainty. Run towards him with an open heart. He's looking for something honest, not something perfect. 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16