How to Turn the World Upside Down: Day Four
Day 4: Faith Seeking Understanding
Devotional
There's a common misconception that faith and intellect are opposed to each other—that to be a Christian means checking your brain at the door. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Gospel invites both childlike faith and rigorous thinking. It's simple enough for a child to grasp yet profound enough to engage the greatest minds throughout history. The Bereans in Acts 17 exemplify this balance—they received the message eagerly but also examined the Scriptures daily to verify what they were hearing. God created our minds and expects us to use them in our relationship with Him. Faith isn't blind; it's built on evidence, reason, and revelation. The more we study God's Word and God's world, the more we discover the harmony between faith and reason. This doesn't mean we'll have all our questions answered. Mystery remains an essential part of faith. But Christianity welcomes questions, invites exploration, and stands up to scrutiny. When we engage both heart and mind in our faith journey, we experience a deeper, more resilient relationship with God.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation
— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. - 1 Peter 2:2-3
Reflection Question
What questions about faith have you been hesitant to explore, and how might engaging with those questions actually strengthen rather than weaken your relationship with God?
“The Scriptures are deep enough for an elephant to swim in,
and yet shallow enough that a child would not drown.”
Prayer
Lord, thank You that You created my mind and invite me to use it in knowing You better. Help me to approach Your Word with both eagerness and thoughtfulness. When I have questions, give me the courage to explore them rather than ignore them. Deepen my understanding of Your truth, even as I humbly acknowledge the limits of my comprehension. Amen.