A Horseshoe and Belief

Faith Grounded in God

Nov 25, 2005

Saying For Today: For we know by faith that our trust in God, while aided by belief, is grounded in God and not belief.

An American scientist visited the offices of the great Nobel-prize-winning physicist, Niels Bohr, in Copenhagen. He was amazed that over Bohr's desk was a horseshoe, nailed to the wall and with the open end up in the approved manner: so that it would catch the good luck and not let it spill out. The American said, with a nervous laugh, "Surely you don't believe the horseshoe will bring you good luck, do you, Professor Bohr? After all, as a scientist—" Bohr chuckled, "I believe no such thing, my good friend. Not at all. I am scarcely likely to believe in such foolish nonsense. However, I am told that a horseshoe will bring you good luck whether you believe in it or not." (Bits & Pieces, September 17, 1992, p. 6)

Believing something neither means that we trust it nor that we are persuaded, truly, that it is true. However, not believing something, not trusting it, and not being persuaded, truly, that it is true does not make it untrue.

Having faith in God allows us to be more honest about our beliefs. For we know by faith that our trust in God, while aided by belief, is grounded in God and not belief. As we move more closely to God, we can hold less a grip on our convictions and, therefore, be more receptive of how Spirit might lead us beyond our convictions and toward more openness in regard to other persons who differ with our beliefs.

Question: What is the relationship, to you, between belief and faith? Have you grown closer to God over time and less attached to your beliefs? If so, how does that manifest in your personal feelings and relationships, also, with those who differ with you?

OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.