How difficult it is to believe-truly to believe-when the nay-sayers and dissenters surrounding us challenge and shake what we hold to be true. Great fortitude, in the form of tremendous strength of character and conviction, is required of one who holds a belief that differs from the beliefs of others. The question of "believing" transcends time and generations. Believing is a common theme throughout the Bible as well as in current literature, movies, and popular music. Holding strong to one's beliefs can be one of life's greatest struggles and challenges.
Often, believing is possible only after some sort of proof has been presented-a very scientific approach! It is human nature to require evidence to prove a theory or to strengthen an argument. As children, we are taught to question and to present proof of our findings through both written and spoken opinions, lab reports, and mathematical assessments. This practice of questioning and then proving, makes it unacceptable simply to "believe."
Believing is a central theme in the beloved children's Christmas story, The Polar Express: "Seeing is Believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are things we can't see." This does not imply that we as "believers" should blindly believe, but rather, we should believe in our hearts what we know to be true.
Jesus speaks of his followers as "sheep," and although sheep have become synonymous with those who follow blindly without thinking, this is not what is meant by being a part of Jesus' flock. "My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me" (John 10: 27-28). The flock are the chosen ones, the loyal ones, who are led by Jesus, because they are the believers.
The Jews were a divided people, just as today, many of us are divided by our beliefs. Jesus acknowledged that some might doubt His Words, but challenged them to accept the good deeds he had done as evidence of God's presence and power. Jesus challenged them, as we are challenged today, to BELIEVE.
