Faith vs. Reason

One of the homework questions for the next Knowing the Voice of the Lord class is to define the difference between faith and reason. There are tons and tons of books written on the subject… and I don’t think I have the time (or desire) to read each one of them. Instead, I am going to use the example of the most recent (rather important) decision I have made. I actually made it today, so it is still fresh. I will use MY understanding of both faith and reason to explain my thought process.

It all started when I received the weekly church newsletter a few weeks ago, with the following announcement:

“We have been making preparations for a New Orleans Mission Trip, and we finally have some details available. We are planning to go to New Orleans July 19-31 [NOTE: dates were later changed to July 26-August 9]. This means we need people up who are able to go and work, and we also are asking for monetary donations to supply materials. Maybe you cannot go to New Orleans, but you would like to help financially so we can purchase materials.
As we help Beulah Land Baptist Church rebuild, we will be making a big difference in the spiritual climate of New Orleans. If you would like more details about this trip, are interested in going to New Orleans, and/or would like to make a donation please contact…”

REASON: I start doing the math, and realize that I probably will not be able to help financially. I have so many things going on, so many things I need to prepare for. Besides, I have already made other financial commitments that I don’t think I can get out of. As far going down to New Orleans, same issue, how am I going to pay for transportation, sleeping arrangements and stuff like that???

FAITH: I start weeping right then and there in front of my computer at work. Not sure why… I need to figure something out.

I get home and talk to my sister about it. I tell her that I need to find a way to help, somehow. The conversation then turns into: “Why do YOU have to do it?”

REASON: Why indeed? I am sure there are lots of volunteers who probably are more able to help financially, or any other way. I don’t have to feel guilty about not being able to help; I would if I could…

FAITH: I don’t want to do this out of guilt! It just feels like the right thing to do… I can’t possibly explain it. I need to figure something out.

After weeks of praying, and working with numbers, I decide to go to the informational meeting for the mission trip. I also realize that my last day at my current place of employment is less than a week before the start of the trip.

REASON: It’s probably a coincidence. You have to watch your spending…

FAITH: Coincidence? Really? I doubt it… If this is a coincidence, then my life the past few months has just been a continuous series of coincidences...

I get to the meeting today (after a rather interesting series of events AND a free lunch from the Cheesecake Factory! YUM!), I sit down, and GH talks about the details of the trip.

REASON: Hmmm… It doesn’t sound as expensive as I first thought… It’s actually doable. I might be able to go down there for a week. I need to check this out…

FAITH: I am weeping during the entire meeting… Actually weeping! This guy across from me is looking at me, probably thinking: “Great!!! Just what we need…a crybaby!” I need to add here, that I VERY rarely cry in public.

After the meeting, I walk up to GH and sign up on the spot! Does it make sense? Actually, I don’t think it’s supposed to. By the way, what did GH mean when he talked about hanging dry wall? Just kidding!

I am SO exited!!!!

EED