Faith is More Than A Feeling

My first summer home from college, I joined my cousin on a day trip to Ohio's pride and joy: Cedar Point. Growing up in a family that did not frequent amusement parks, I wasn't exactly a roller coaster aficionado but still, I was along for the ride (no pun intended). We arrived early in the morning and hurried to get in line for one of the most popular coasters: the Millennium Force. It featured high speeds, drops, tilted turns, tunnels and more. As if that wasn't daunting enough, it also included a hefty wait time. After a couple hours of anticipation, we boarded the ride and began the slow cable climb to the first drop. My excitement quickly faded as we were launched over the edge and my vision suddenly went black. With each rise and fall, it faded in and out until the ride came to a final halt. I exited, feeling a bit nauseous and a whole lot confused. Even though the primary thrill of a roller coaster is the unexpected, I could not have imagined multiple blackouts to be my experience. By the end of the night (and five other miserable rides later), I realized I could never be a roller coaster regular.

Looking back on it now, my college experience was much like those roller coasters my cousin and I braved. There were ups, downs, twists, and turns - some expected, but most coming with no warning. It is safe to say that that season was accompanied by many fluctuating emotions and, as my emotions changed, so did my walk with the Lord. Does this sound familiar? Like so many others, I found it easy to worship God when my test scores were high, my relationships were strong, or I'd woken up early enough to grab coffee before class. But when things got even the slightest bit tough, I coined the phrase "I just don't feel God lately". My roots were shallow, and my blame fell on His "lack" of presence, rather than my own lack of security in the truth of who God is. I failed to realize: God's goodness never rested on my circumstances.

Jesus talks about this concept in Matthew 13 when He tells a story of a farmer who went out to spread his seeds. Some fell along the path, among rocks, among thorns and, finally, some on good soil. The seeds along the path were eaten up by the birds. The seeds among the rocks sprang up quickly, but their shallow roots allowed them to be scorched by the sun. The seeds among the thorns were choked out as they grew into plants. Only the seeds on the good soil thrived. Can you relate to any of these seeds? Let's look specifically at Jesus' explanation of the seed that fell among the rocks:

"The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." - Matthew 13:20-21 NIV

This is the danger of having a faith based on feelings alone. Where do you turn to when trouble or persecution comes? If you're anything like college me, the answer to that question could be social media, friendships, shopping, eating... the list goes on. Notice what - or who - was missing from that list. Jesus. When we base our faith on our current circumstances or emotions, we are focusing on what is temporary. Likewise, our "solution" is to also turn to something temporary when those hard times inevitably come. Instead, the Bible calls us to have a faith formed on what is eternal: the truth of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 4, Paul writes about the result of growing in our faith and in this knowledge of Christ:

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. - Ephesians 4:14 NIV

As we spiritually mature, we become grounded by truth. It's not that the roller coaster suddenly becomes a smooth, flat ride, but that those twists and turns don't have the power they once had to toss us back and forth. Our circumstances and our emotions may change, but we cling to the God who never does. The God who has been good and faithful and kind since the very beginning. The same God who desired so much to have a relationship with us - both here on Earth and in eternity - that He sent His only Son to die on a cross as the payment for our own sins. This is the truth of Jesus Christ, and in this is where our faith can plant its deep roots.

It took me a few semesters of allowing my walk with the Lord to ride the ups and downs of college life, but I finally realized that my faith was more than a feeling. I stopped blaming God for not being near and started taking responsibility in my own spiritual maturity. I spent time in prayer, reading the Word, and developing relationships that would hold me accountable in my pursuit of the Lord. While I’m far from perfect, I’ve seen the Holy Spirit’s work in guiding me towards truth during the hardest of times. I’d like to share one of those truths with you, found in Matthew 14.

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”’ – Matthew 14:25-33 NIV

The next time trouble or persecution comes – because it will – I pray that you keep your eyes on the God who walks with you, cares for you and equips you for those very moments. I pray that you cling to the truth of Jesus Christ, and remember that your faith is grounded in so much more than just a feeling.

With love,

Sarah McFaddin
BGSU Campus Director