Clinging Faith

I wondered what to do as the elderly saint before me struggled with the ravages of old age. It seems that when a situation makes no sense, we, in some way, have to create sense out of it. The last days of those who are ill unto death, the mindless destruction of catastrophes often surpass our ability to reason or respond. I believe that at these times God is asking us to go beyond understanding and walk simply by faith.

Sometimes, we think that walking by faith is trusting that God will provide a reasonable conclusion but will do so later on. However, experience has taught us that there are times when faith is simply reduced to holding on to God because we've lost everything we've ever held on to in the past. This is what I call "clinging" faith. Jonah had it in the belly of the whale and the thief had it on the cross with Jesus. We experience it when we come to that point where there is no rhyme, no reason, no relief except death.

I thought again of the sister who was clinging to God for life and remembered what Paul, in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 told those who were in a like situation "…Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus…" and I knew what I had to do.