Time to Move on from Certainty
There are a host of habits that have brought us to this point with faith in America. Many people in our culture have found the Christian faith expressions contained within the institutional church, lacking at best, and toxic at worst. Others are still trapped in these habits. Maybe out of nostalgia, comfort zones, or fear that if they start to leave some of these habits behind, they are leaving their version of salvation behind with them.
This is what certainty does to people. It’s crippling. Certainty is the bedrock of fundamentalism, legalism, and polarization. And there are two cultural habits that have fueled some of this.
Information - I know because I saw a documentary on it, watched the news, googled it, read it, or studied it.
Personal Experience - I know because I experienced it.
Although I’m intentionally simplifying them, these are the 2 most prevalent lenses that Americans view the world through. And these are fine, however, they are limited, especially when it comes to faith. There’s an opportunity for us to break through these glass ceilings of information and personal experience.
“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all true science. Whoever does not know it, who can no longer pause to wonder or stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead.” - Nate Staniforth, quote from one of my “Can’t Put This Book Down” list, Here is Real Magic.
Faith - I know because I realize the information and personal experience have limits and therefore, so do I. Faith forces me to wonder, love, be in awe, discuss, and doubt. Faith is humble pie.
Faith is the disciples looking at the resurrected Christ and having to touch the holes in his hands to believe what they are seeing is real, but wrestling with an experience that defies the laws of nature. Nothing summarizes faith better than this moment.
The journey of life is best lived when we move beyond certainty (information and personal experience) and we discover the mystery of faith. This is where we discover beauty, freedom, awareness, and rest that we never thought possible.
One of the key movements that led me beyond certainty and into mystery was Prayer. These types of prayer that have been utilized for centuries: Praying the Psalms, Liturgical Prayer, Contemplative Prayer, and Listening and Healing Prayer. If you are curious about exploring mystery and faith, you should consider joining me for the upcoming Prayer Pathway Experience. And because prayer and religious experiences might seem weird (and let’s face it, religious people say and do some weird shit), I’ll tell you a little about it.
It’s free (promo code: SWCfree24) or “pay what you want” for a ticket. Limited to 25 spots.
It’s once a week for 1 hour via Zoom. We’ll meet for 4 weeks. You’ll need a journal to track your thoughts.
You don’t have to talk, turn your video on, or interact. Not everybody likes forced social interaction with complete strangers.
I’ll give you a PDF document of a Prayer and read through the prayer each week. Each week, will be a new type of prayer.
Over the next week, you’ll do the prayer at least once on your own and record your thoughts.
I’ll create space for anyone who does want to share what they recorded at the beginning of Zoom’s #2, #3, and #4.
I wouldn’t describe these prayer experiences as weird. They are simply an intentional step into mystery. I’ve had people from all walks of life and faith go through this before. I hope you’ll consider joining me: more info and registration here.