Read an interesting article this morning on a forthcoming book about Mother Teresa. The author and point of the book seems to be surprised that such a woman struggled with her faith so deeply. It recounts years of darkness in her spiritual walk. They even get, in the article, a psychologist to explain such a struggle.
That's the thing about faith, and I think the precis of this book gets at it. It's not easy. It's not a one-way ticket to spiritual bliss. "I have faith and all is well!" That's not faith. Not the faith I know. Not the faith I have. It constantly comes under suspicions. Is constantly examined and tried and found wanting. Recedes into dark corners of wariness. Undergoes this "dark night of the soul."
This "revelation" doesn't revolutionize my opinion of her. Doesn't occur a polar shift. I don't go around thinking now that "Wow she really struggled with her faith." Christ struggled with his faith. We are all Jacob's wrestling with God in this world, in our own Peniels. In this time of prosperity gospels and "faith is easy" mentalities, this will be a refreshing examination of proper notions of what it means to have faith.
Many will see it but a commentary on wacko religious belief. Evidence of opiates for masses.
Then I'll have what she's having.
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Because, quite often, little of what I say is of any lasting value. Though in rare occasion, may I invoke your illative sense. Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem.
4 comments:
Agreed - it's not surprising at all. Frankly, I'd be shocked if she didn't have crises of faith.
I'd be shocked if not everybody had them, including atheists.
Why such a long period, however? Is it becuase of her ministry and the discontinuity between God and man? A discontinuity between a gracious God who has spoken but has not acted in over 2,000 years? A journey that took her into the badlands where evil holds power and goodness can only be a transient occurence?
I still don't believe that time has much to do with it. God can speak volumes in an instant. How long were they stranded in the desert?
Our current chrisitanity in America is concerned primarily with these mountaintops, but sometimes the valleys stretch on for miles, more than just mere spritual foothills.
It's an amazing struggle. Not sure I could have gotten through it. But God doesn't give us anything we can't handle.
Pressed. But not crushed.
Her desrert journey should be an inspiration to us all. I believe that she said when she saw The LORD face to face, she would tell Him that she loved Him in the dark. His darkness is lighter than the brightest light we know.
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