Never Apologize For Believing

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker; yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:12-16

The other day I was discussing a presentation proposal with a colleague, and suggesting a spiritual framework. I know this person well, and I was taken aback when she shut down the proposal immediately by saying “I don’t like spirituality.”

To say that hearing that was a disappointment would be an understatement. It was disappointing, but it was also saddening and even a little bit offensive.

As a rule I do not wear my faith outwardly on my sleeve. I do not bring faith and spirituality into every conversation, for not every conversation is about faith or spirituality. My beliefs are not the only topic of conversation I have, nor do I think it respectful of others to always putting those beliefs front and center, without regard for the situation or the people around me.

Not everyone believes as I do. Probably very few people believe as I do, fellow Christians included. I read the Bible for myself. I pray the prayers I have within me. I practice my faith in the ways that seem best to me.

Yet I do believe. Of that there is no question. I do believe. I do have faith. My belief and my faith are important to me.

It is hard to hear others shut down even the mere mention of spirituality, let alone Christian faith. There is no denying that when others reject these things they are rejecting an important part of me. When friends, colleagues, and loved ones reject spirituality or even a discussion about spirituality, a gap is formed between myself and those friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of my journey into faith has been the realization that it necessarily leaves some friends behind, for not everyone chooses to walk a path of faith, and fewer still will walk a path of faith that shares time and space with mine. Committing to my journey into faith means letting go of old associations, and even old friends, and there is always an element of sadness in this. Goodbye is never as pleasant to hear as hello.

Yet the alternative would be even sadder. If I do not let go of those who cannot walk with me as I journey into faith, that journey would end. I would be pulled away from the path of faith, into the weeds of distraction and worldly concerns. That is not a good outcome for anyone who is committed to faith, and to walking in faith.

Faith, whether it be Christian faith or any other kind, does not compromise. Faith cannot compromise. Regardless of what anyone else says around me, my faith, if it is to be my faith, must remain exactly as it is, and my path must remain exactly where it is.

If I am dissuaded from my path of faith because it makes others uncomfortable, or if I even seek to downplay my faith to avoid discomfiting a friend or a colleague, if I do this in the slightest degree I am departing from my path of faith and wandering off into the weeds, where I do not want to go.

To be clear, I do not mean to say I am constantly trumpeting my faith. It is central to my particular path of faith that I refrain from imposing my faith on others. I have no qualms about saying God loves me, but I will be prudent and deliberate about saying to anyone else “God loves you”, or “Jesus loves you.” I do not believe it is good practice or even a good example to cudgel others in this fashion.

I believe that, before I can discuss God’s divine majesty with anyone else, I need to discover if they are amenable to such a discussion. If I am going to meet them where they are, psychological, emotionally, and even spiritually, I have to know their mind at least a little before I dive into any discussion on God. I cannot inspire anyone to commit to a journey into faith if I offend their sensibilities with an univited mention of God and Faith.

If I do not meet people where they are, then I am not respecting them. If I do not respect them, I can never persuade them to hear what I have to say, about God or about any other thing.

Yet being committed to my journey into faith also means I cannot deny my faith when the topic does arise. Being committed to my journey into faith means I must be willing to proclaim my faith in every moment where it is fitting. Being committed to my journey into faith means never downplaying or denying my faith just to “get along.” Being committed to my journey into faith means not being silent about my faith when the moment arrives for me to proclaim my faith, and to defend my faith.

Being committed to my journey into faith means that I will discomfit and even offend some people. Being committed to my journey into faith means I have to be at peace with that. Being committed to my journey into faith means I cannot back down in those moments.

This is the essence of faith. This is the essence of what it means to believe in anything. If we truly believe in something, in anything, that belief is a constant throughout the day. We do not stop believing merely because those around us do not share our beliefs.

In these moments, when we are surrounded by those who are discomfited and even offended by what we believe, that we are being challenged in our faith. Will we stand up for our faith, or will we let our faith slip away? That is no easy question, for I know all too well that in the past I have not stood up for my faith, and my journey into faith has suffered an unwanted detour into worldly weeds as a consequence.

In the past I have not stood up for my faith, but that is the past. In the present and in the future I will stand up for my faith. I will not apologize for believing in God. I will not dissemble about Jesus or His supreme sacrifice. I will not be boastful about my faith, but neither will I deny my faith, not even for the sake of a friend, a colleague, or a loved one.

I will keep to my journey into faith, and will let go all those who cannot follow along with me on that journey.

My prayer for you this day is that you will likewise be filled with faith, and with the courage that comes from faith, to always keep to your journy into faith. My prayer for you this day is that, when you are challenged in your faith, you will stand up for that faith, and that your faith will grow stronger as a consequence.

Do not apologize for believing. Rather, rejoice that you believe, even in the presence of unbelievers. Rejoice, and stand, and keep on your journey into faith.