Flights of fancy, foolishness and faith

On Good Friday many Christians attend church services and partake of communion, the wine and the bread that we eat and drink symbolically, as we identify with Christ’s broken body and shed blood.

Christ’s was an ignominious death on a lonely hill in a country far away, at a time long past. Yet this life and death are now venerated by people throughout the globe.

Foolishness and fear, some would claim. If the skies were to open to myriads of angels singing, would they then believe? If they observed for themselves miraculous events happening, would that be persuasion enough?

There are some who can relate amazing stories. Yet for many, faith is the glimmer of light amongst shadows. God speaks in whispers in the silences.

But among all Gods, He alone is the One who identified with us in our humanity, our brokenness, our shame and suffering. The King left his throne room to walk with the peasants. He laid aside His crown to carry a cross.

I believe. If not, life is a random succession of chemical chances. If so, I am created by a loving heavenly Father. I believe life is purposeful, not random, that after hate and greed and injustice and death have had their time, love and justice and life will prevail.

Friday was not the end of the story. It continued on Sunday and beyond, to Christ’s ascension and the gifting at Pentecost to us of the Holy Spirit. After the cross, came our eternal justification and salvation through Christ, to the glory of God our Father. We are part of God’s eternal story.