Magic or Faith: Which Do We Want?
Pastor Randy Corbin, Transitional Lead Pastor
| Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis pondered the question at one stage in his life. After all, there is much that is attractive about Magic. There is wonder and fascination – such as we have felt when watching a genie escape from a bottle and granting a most delicious wish. But perhaps the greatest allure of Magic is the benefit: it comes at no cost or at least minimal obligation to the recipient. Magic gives instant recovery from cancer, a flashy new car when ours has died and our pockets are empty, a marriage partner of our dreams, and a huge check in the mailbox. It comes instantly and with very little effort on our part. I sometimes wonder if that is what we have been looking for when we have gone off to church on a Sunday – when our hearts are aching and our minds are frantic from worry. “God grant me…. God give me….. God gift me…” well up from our desperate spirits. Are we asking for Magic or Faith? Lewis’ mother was dying from stomach cancer and he confessed that he was looking for Magic when he prayed as a youngster. Magic is healing without a journey, a miracle without any commitment or, a wish come true without self-preparation. It is shallow – just a Turkish delight experience – a transient fix at best. Faith on the other hand is much more engaging and transforming. Faith requires a heart with unwavering conviction that God has a plan, eyes that are continually seeking for God, ears that are listening for His voice, and a will that keeps Jesus as our Treasure. While Magic gives instant solution without commitment, Faith gives us a rich experience that takes us beyond the problem to a venture of God-discovery and character transformation. And, at every part of the journey stands Jesus – our Author and Finisher – who cares as much about building you and me as He does about solving our dilemmas. Face a terminal illness, a devastating fractured relationship, or a tremendous financial loss and choose Faith rather than Magic and you will embark upon an experience that will stretch you, deepen you, and eventually enrich you in your intimacy with Jesus. You will not be the same. You will be moving on to a Christ-likeness that you would have not captured in any other crucible. Oh there will be pain, but the polish is rich and shiny. Magic, if it would come, would leave you just as you are – just as selfish, just as weak and just as blinded to the reality of the true spiritual world around us. Oh, Magic would be easier, quicker and flashier. But for me, I want the long term benefit. I want a journey that will transform my character into something better than I am now. And, I want a Treasure that is a living Person to occupy my passion. For that reason, when trouble comes, I am choosing Faith. That’s what I want. |
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