Yancy is probably one of my famous authors. He has grappled with hard, practical questions of the Christian faith, and has gathered tons of information and testimonies that ground his writings in real life experience.
Last night at our small group we were talking about a "ambidextrous faith" that requires two hands to hold onto two purposes: 1) When life is difficult -- and it often is -- it has nothing to do with God's lack of love or care for us; 2) we should keep our perspective as "puny creatures" and look for the good that can come out of it.
Another way of looking at life is to view the past with remembrance of what God has done in the past; to view the future with hope that God will restore the universe to perfection; and to view the present as the one moment that we have control over.
Mother Teresa was once asked by a visiting doctor, "Pray for me."
"What do you want me to pray?" she replied.
"Pray that I may have clarity," he said.
"Clarity is the one thing that you are holding onto that you must get rid of. I've never had clarity when it comes to doing God's work. What is required is faith and trust. So, I'll pray that you receive faith."
How often do I get hung up or hesitate because I think God has not made His will clear enough to me? It is at that point that I must act in faith. It is at that point that God wants me to go deeper.
