Faith means different things to different people. Often it seems to be associated with believing in something that is unbelievable or a hope for some future blessing or happiness. Sometimes people talk about having enough faith to see a miracle, or to achieve some desired outcome.
I have come to see faith primarily as trusting in God and desiring to do His will. In other words, I think having or living by faith means doing things more than hoping for things.
I recently came across a story that I think demonstrates living by faith. It is a story about a man who joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints prior to 1978. The year 1978 is significant, because prior to 1978 male members of the church who lived the commandments and paid tithing could be ordained to the priesthood and receive temple ordinances, but black men were excluded from that.
George Rickford was part African and would be denied those opportunities. When he learned about it he was angry and devastated. He had received a conviction that the church was God’s Church but he was hurt, insulted and totally disappointed. He tried to reconcile his feelings by speaking with others and praying. One day he prayed, “O Father, what about this thing, because I don’t understand it.” He describes what happened next, “Then I had a wonderful experience by way of a response. The word ‘faith’ was just spelled out letter by letter before my closed eyes and I heard myself respond to that. Some beautiful feelings just swept through me from head to toe.”
Consoling words came to his mind: “George,” he felt, “you don’t have to understand everything about my gospel before you commit yourself to it. Why don’t you show your faith by accepting what you’ve heard and commit the rest into my hands? Don’t trouble yourself. I will never lead you astray.”
“I just felt a glow inside and I heard myself say, still with my eyes closed, ‘Yes, Lord, I will. I will take it in faith. And thank you, by the way, thank you.’”
George joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, married and had children who were also not able to bear the priesthood. But George continued believing and participating. In 1975 he wrote, “I am just grateful that the Lord’s priesthood is once again upon the earth, with all its attendant blessings, authority, and responsibility. It matters less to me who has it and who hasn’t, but much more how it is utilised.”
I am so impressed by George’s trust in God and in his willingness to humbly submit his will to God’s will. Most often in life we don’t know how things will turn out and we usually don’t know the “why” of things that happen. Living by faith means seeking to know God’s will, trusting him, and then doing it!
For more about George Rickford see https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/pioneers-in-every-land/i-will-take-it-in-faith
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