“We’ve come this far by faith.” Old timers might recognize that song. There is a church on 45th and Princeton called Fellowship Missionary Baptist. In 1956 the music minister there, Albert Goodson, wrote the hymn which quickly became popular and was, eventually, included in the Lead Me, Guide Me hymnal and, hence, into Catholic worship. Seventy-some years later we might wonder how far we in the United States actually have come. Many of the social, cultural and religious advances the nation has lived through in these past seventy years seem to be threatened. Diversity and equality has become banned from public policy. Developments in health care are being questioned. Voters are denied real choices. As Catholics some of the enthusiasm brought about at Vatican II has waned as differing camps of what Catholicism means lob stink bombs at each other. And denial about the heat pollution threatening the only planet we’ve got is rampant among politicians. Are we coming far or backsliding? But as the song puts it however far we’ve come, it’s faith that has gotten us here. We aren’t distracted by the appearances. Instead, we trust in the divine knowledge we have received. Faith is a bridge that carries us over the deep ravines of worry and doubt in life. Because of faith we await the fulfillment of the promise which God has made that love is stronger than death.
“We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.” What happens when the testing comes? Maybe it’s an illness. The doctor says, “cancer,” and your throat closes up like a spigot and suddenly the heart which used to beat in your chest has fallen down to the floor. Or maybe it’s the end of a relationship. The world looks cold and cruel like a February rain as you face the prospect of being alone. Or maybe it’s failure. Despite your best effort you’re not going to reach your goal. In times of darkness, of pain, of despair one would think God would be the greatest source of consolation. But what happens too frequently? God seems to be absent just when we need God the most! We cry out for God to make it better — and silence is the only response. We’ve arrived at the true moment of faith. For during those dark nights, during those dry times, during those deafening silences we learn to lean on the Lord and not on the gifts of the Lord. We have faith in God; not in Santa Claus. Yes, at times God gives us the healing we want, fills our lives with caring companions, fulfills our hearts’ desires. But true faith is not in the healing, not in the gift, not in the fulfillment, but in God as one who loves us. Faith is a child who believes his mother when she comforts him after a nightmare. Even though the boy doesn’t know how, he believes her when she says “it’ll be all right” because of the relationship of love between them. Our true place is in the arms of God. All those gifts that God gives are just a foretaste of the better, heavenly home where God invites us to an intimacy which is more than we could even imagine. In the time of testing we lean not in God’s gifts, but in God alone. Only in God will my soul be at rest.
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy Word. What is that Holy Word? Jesus tells us: Do not fear, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you a kingdom. We have faith that giving is of more value than getting. The word of the Lord says we don’t need a bigger house or a fancier car or high status to feel complete. Instead we believe that being kind to those who are hurting, contributing to those in need, extending welcome to those who feel isolated makes us richer by far. We possess a never-failing treasure which no thief comes near nor any moth destroys. Our Father has given us a kingdom so we have faith that we can face whatever life dishes out to us. Grieving over a loved one, confronting a family problem, facing an old hurt is possible. The strength does not arise from our own resources but comes as God’s gift. We believe in what God can do in us and for us. We trust in his holy word and do not fear the evil, the violence around us. Instead, we believe that the little bit which we can contribute makes a difference because of God’s transforming power. The Holy Word we receive from Jesus teaches that faith is like a bungee cord. No matter how far the leap, we will be snapped back and brought safely home.
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his Holy Word. He’s never failed me yet. As the epistle puts it, “Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.” That’s why even the catastrophes, even the tragedies of life don’t destroy us. While we don’t see at the time what such troubles mean, we as people of faith have blessed assurance, have conviction that God is at work. Faith is like a marriage with its ups and downs where the couple learns the rhythms of one another in order to create a deeper and stronger unity.
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy word. He’s never failed me yet. Can’t turn around for we are waiting the master’s return when God will make all things new. Can’t turn around for when he arrives and knocks we must open the door of love without delay. Can’t turn around for I must be wide awake so I’ll recognize the Son of Man in the people who are part of my life. We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy word. He’s never failed me yet.
