I have a lot of faith. But I am also afraid a lot, and have no real certainty about anything. I remembered something Father Tom had told me--that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. Certainty is missing the point entirely. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns.
In her book "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith," Anne Lamott reflects on the complexity of faith and the presence of fear and uncertainty in life. She acknowledges that while she possesses a strong faith, she also experiences significant fear and a lack of certainty. This duality highlights that faith does not require absolute certainty; rather, it can coexist with doubts and anxieties.
Lamott emphasizes a key insight from Father Tom, who suggests that certainty, rather than doubt, is the true opposite of faith. Embracing faith means accepting the chaos and discomfort of life without seeking immediate resolutions. It involves allowing the messiness to exist and waiting for a sense of clarity or hope to emerge, illustrating the deep and often challenging nature of genuine faith.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
