I subscribe to Seth Godin’s blog and get at least one email a day from him with his pithy and wise perspective on many things. Today, this:
Business plans with too much detail, books with too much proof, politicians with too much granularity… it seems as though more data is a good thing, because data proves the case.
In my experience, data crowds out faith. And without faith, it’s hard to believe in the data enough to make a leap. Big mergers, big VC investments, big political movements, large congregations… they don’t usually turn out for a spreadsheet.
The problem is this: no spreadsheet, no bibliography and no list of resources is sufficient proof to someone who chooses not to believe. The skeptic will always find a reason, even if it’s one the rest of us don’t think is a good one. Relying too much on proof distracts you from the real mission–which is emotional connection.
Seth Godin is doing theology – whether he knows it or not. “Without faith it’s hard to believe.“ Preach it! Whether we are attempting to believe in God, any form of the Divine, or even in ourselves, we’ve gotta have faith (yes…you can now start humming the chorus to the oh-so-applicable George Michael song…).
We think we want proof, but in actuality, it does more harm than good. It moves us out of miraculous, amazing, and spectacular realms into cold, sterile, dull ones. And that’s no good! What we really want is faith. And miraculously, amazingly, spectacularly, it grows and flourishes in the absence of data and proof…not more of it!
All things worth believing in, having faith in, risking for, are those that require less certainty and more trust, less sure footing and more bold leaps!
Godin says, “…relying too much on proof distracts you from the real mission…” The real mission – whether in business, relationships, theology, or life is the tireless pursuit of hope, an unwavering belief in something bigger than ourselves, a tenacious clinging to our desires. And all of this no matter the cost, the disbelief and disdain of others, and sometimes even our disbelief in ourselves. That’s faith!
That’s good theology. Thanks, Seth!
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)
And just because I can’t resist, here’s George Michael. (I know: the lyrics don’t really apply, but who can help but sing along to the chorus?!?)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Ronna
I am loving these posts lately! And it strikes me that there is a paradox in faith being both a “tenacious clinging” and “a bold leap”. And yet that feels right. It is both somehow. And my experience of faith is that it is living in the paradox. Because for me at least it is a faith in G-d which is at all times a faith in the divine which lives in me (and in everyone else). And the signal is so dman spotty! So sometimes I can sense it and hold on to it tenaciously. And sometimes I can’t and I just have to leap. Does this make sense?
Absolutely, Pearl. It’s always a both/and – a clinging and a leaping at the very same time; which is why we’re loathe to do it…it’s messy, confusing, unknown. We want the sure thing. But the very mess is also what provides the fodder for something amazing to be created out of chaos, for a releasing into greater things to take place, a letting go of control that enables even more empowerment. It’s all paradox, definitely…which is why it’s called “faith!” You’re totally making sense in the midst of something that makes none…at least most of the time!
There is a dialectic. Statistics do have a place. They provide a basis for faith (e.g.., “Ronna gave me advice three times before and it worked out for me, so I have faith that it will work out this time too”).
But I do agree on this: there is a diminishing rate of return on statistics. The more statistics we bathe in, the less it helps us, and the more confusing things get.
Like the day and the night, faith and rationality are best taken in harmonic balance with each other. Obviously, this article emphasizes faith because we tend to be way out of balance more often on the side of “rationality,” even those among us that claim a religious faith.
.-= MPositive´s last blog ..REAL LISTENING: a priceless and immeasurably valuable skill =-.
I’m tracking with you, Michael. There’s always a place for logic, rational thought, wise statistical analysis. We usually default there, however, and forget to trust our intuition, our gut, our heart…to have faith in things larger than/outside of empirical data. ‘LOVE the mystery, the hope in things unseen, the expansiveness and imagination it breeds. ‘Appreciate you weighing in. Thank you.
Faith! That sometimes blind feeling that gets us through. How can we live without it? Whether it is a faith in God or in some other higher being, it shows in everything we do. Like Thomas – and you knew he would show up here somewhere – there are times when we need to touch to believe but those of us who have been that route tend to need it less and less as our faith is confirmed and grows.
.-= Nicki´s last blog ..Where Can You Find Me Today? =-.
I’m intrigued by the words “blind feeling” Nicki. They lead me to this thought: I wonder if faith is actually some strong internal seeing; a way in which we can actually determine direction, movement, intent, all kinds of things…but we must trust (have faith) in what we know that we know that we know. This doesn’t take away from the sense of the Divine (in whatever way we define it); rather, it allows for such to dwell within us and be the source of our deeper, stronger, wiser “seeing.” My wandering thoughts early this morning. Thanks for inviting them!
Ronna,
The part I love here is the need for both ‘emotional connection’ (Godin) and faith. Data soothes the intellect, connection reaches out to the other’s emotional nature and faith touches the divine within.
Love how you’ve woven all these pieces together with such grace.
.-= Julie´s last blog ..The You That Takes Your Breath Away =-.
Thanks, Julie. When I was in my masters program we spent a good deal of time thinking about (and creating) “intertextuality” – places in which differing texts could speak to one another. Somtimes the media were even switched…a painting speaking to a song or a song to a novel or a dance to a Sacred text. ‘Love that interplay, it’s creativity, and just the way that different voices can speak to one another whether meaning to or not! One big amazing conversation going on all the time!