Nine years ago, forum publisher Bill Marcil Jr. said, “Let’s do it,” and started a new column focused on faith. That’s the only perspective I can offer – from my own perspective.
I knew that “Living Faith” would be one of the billions of perspectives on this topic. But by sharing my lived experience, I can encourage others to walk with God and give hope to the uncertainty that we were created by love-forced eternal beings. I was hoping that it would be possible.
In recent years, more and more people have become skeptical that our world has been revealed through the good heart of God. away from the outdated thinking of
A more compelling reason for human existence is now digitally accessible in seconds. It’s become fashionable to ditch the old wisdom to look more comfortable, better-fitting, and with less effort.
I understand that the reasons for abandoning faith in God are usually more complex than that and often have emotional causes. But in the end, it all has to come to a compromise as to whether God exists and whether we will comply with his supplications.
I am, as ever, convinced that the Christian story is true. Emmanuel with God came to bring light and save us from eternal grief. And I believe that this Lord Jesus is inviting everyone into the kingdom of love.
Recently, I was asked to explain my beliefs in a conversation. Neither a theologian nor a philosopher by training, I consistently return to these basic reasons for keeping a living faith.
creation begs the creator. Simply put, nothing comes out of nothing. We had to come from a source outside ourselves. It exists apart from us, but is part of us. We cannot see God in a scientific way and cannot conclusively “prove” God, but we can know the existence of God through reason.
Creation reflects its Creator. We can also infer that God is good, guided by reason, which concludes that God exists. Better to exist than not exist. Our existence is good. So the ever-present creator has to be good.
A Good God Keeps His Eyes on His Creation. If God is good, as we can reasonably judge, then we can also conclude that God is invested in creation. Moreover, the world order reveals a deliberate plan. We are not random accidents created and abandoned by a good God.
Now remember these beautiful words from the Bible: (John 1:14)
I would like to thank those who have respectfully associated with me during these nine years of reflection. As we enter 2023, may we all live our faith with more purpose, charity and hope than ever before.
A wife and mother of five, Salonen works in Fargo as a freelance writer and speaker.she emails her
roxanebsalonen@gmail.com
find more of her work at Peace Garden Passage.
roxanesalone.com
