Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill and The Rev. Lynn Finnegan. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Pastor Lynn Finnegan
Associate Priest
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

This verse from the biblical book of Hebrews in the New Testament sure does sound good. It has all the right, strong words: faith, assurance, hope, conviction. But what do we do on those days/weeks/months when we can’t muster up faith, have only the assurance of disappointment, and the only conviction we feel is discouragement? The days when all you can do is put one foot in front of another, and even that is a stretch?

This is exactly the situation the anonymous author of Hebrews was addressing. Members of the newly founded Christian church had endured more than their share of scorn, rejection, and hardship as they audaciously chose to follow the way of Jesus and the teachings of the apostles.

And quite honestly, they were tired. The promise of the final resurrection, the glory of heaven, and Jesus’ return (which they thought was just around the corner) kept, well, never being around the corner. Believers were weary. Following Jesus was (and is) hard. It meant, for some of them, loss of honor, loss of property, and imprisonment. As doubts crept in and some followers started drifting away, the Hebrews author knew he had to pull out all the stops. For starters, the author didn’t chastise those slipping in their faith. As American monk, theologian, and mystic Thomas Merton wrote, faith cannot exist without doubt. Grappling with our understanding of Christian faith can bring us to a deeper and richer knowledge of God.

No, instead, the writer focuses on encouragement. He first looks back at God’s track record with humanity, giving a long litany of faithful God-followers: Abel, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, and others. And while those named did not get all they wanted, when they wanted it, they remained obedient and faithful, trusting in God’s faithfulness. Next, the author reminds the uneasy Christians to look at their present circumstances: they have each other! They aren’t in this alone! When God graces us with faith akin to a field of wildflowers, blooming uncontrollably without assistance, it is a beautiful and wonderful thing.

But more commonly, faith is like a bonsai tree that needs careful pruning, or a vegetable garden that needs weeding, watering, and deer fencing. Faith needs community and nurturing. The Hebrews author counsels, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Heb.10:24) Sometimes, we need a little “provoking” from a trusted faith traveler. There is no shame in either being the provoker or the one provoked, as long as it is done with love and without judgment. Finally, the author says, look forward! He gives a short sermon on the saving work of Jesus, who modeled faithfulness and the promise of resurrection.

“Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” (Heb.12:2-3) Faith can sometimes feel neither assured nor convicted. That’s okay. I assure you, you are in good company. I encourage you, though, to look back, look at the present, and look forward. Nurture one another. God’s grace is abundant and may be just around the corner.

Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a column written by local women clergy including The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (momaryannhill@gmail.com); The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Associate Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, Santa Fe (rev.lynn@holyfaithchurchsf.org); Deacon Amy Schmuck, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (deaconamy@bethluth.com); and ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com).