Faith Check
There is no need to multiply examples of what is so patently an essential condition of the Christian walk. We are saved through faith–an unflagging, unwavering attachment to the person of Jesus Christ. What is the depth and quality of your faith commitment? In the last analysis, faith is not a way of speaking or even of thinking; it is a way of living. Maurice Blondel said, “If you want to know what a person really believes, don’t listen to what he says but watch what he does.” Only the practice of faith can verify what we believe. Does faith permeate the whole of your life? Does it form your judgments about death, about success? Does it influence the way you read the newspaper? Do you have a divine sense of humor that sees through people and events into the unfolding plan of God? When things are turbulent on the surface of your life, do you retain a quiet calm, firmly fixed in ultimate reality? As Thérese of Lisieux said, “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing, God alone remains.”
—Brennan Manning,
Reflections for Ragamuffins
Faith is not a sentiment we speak or an idea we admire—it is a life we live. We are saved through faith, yes, but not a vague or passive faith. True faith is an unwavering attachment to the person of Jesus Christ, one that transforms how we think, how we feel, and how we act. Maurice Blondel wisely said, “If you want to know what a person really believes, don’t listen to what he says but watch what he does.” The depth of our faith is not proven by our words, but by how it directs the steps of our daily lives.
So take a moment to honestly ask: Does faith influence how you interpret success or face loss? Does it affect the way you engage the world around you—the news, your relationships, your time? When the surface of your life is shaken, do you remain grounded in the unshakable presence of God? True faith is not just a confession—it’s a compass. Let this be a time to examine not just what we profess, but what we practice. Let your life answer the question: what do I truly believe? —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics