DailyConnections.net

 

[I know.  I know.  I'm quoting Dolly Parton.  No deep philosopher, perhaps, but one sharp cookie, nonetheless.  So, here goes.] 

 

Only simpletons think that life is a cake walk, and I get awfully nervous about the sweet smiling souls who love God (which is good), but then profess to feel nothing but pure joy (which I think means they’re faking it and desperately so). 

 

The fact is that life’s a bear, and Christianity is a tough way to go, at least if you’re doing it right.  Nowhere (and I’ve checked the Bible) did anyone promise that if you play it safe and sweet and walk the straight and narrow, will your life be easy.  Christ didn’t get out of it alive.  Plus, pretty much all the serious disciples (except maybe John, the beloved) ended up murdered, martyred.  Very tough way to go.

 

So, why?  Why do so many millions of us believe?  There’s gotta be something in it, some reason believers hang tough, in spite of what very often feels like promises unkept.  That’s the  mystery, the sweet, beautiful mystery about faith.  We know beyond knowing.  We may start with reason (since, ultimately, nothing else makes sense but God), but then go beyond reason to hope and, inevitably, faith. – jri

 

    –    Dolly Parton