Test the Faith

I'm not very religious. I was born and raised Buddhist, but I never adhered myself to a religion. Lately, it feels like the issue of Gods and deities has thrust itself to my attention, calling for me, asking for a response. Often, when something confronts me in such a sudden and unexpected manner, I don't know how to respond. I fold up, consider it in the depths of my mind, and formulate a response...which often comes too late. 


In my theater group, whenever someone needs a cold read of a priest, I am often called to read the lines. Why? Is it because of my conviction? My commanding voice? My 'Holier than Thou' demeanor? I really don't know. I guess I've just fallen into the role and went on with it without much thought.


But now I find myself wondering, "What do I believe in?" I've always been afraid of religion because I never truly understood it; I didn't understand why people would put all their faith into a higher being. Truthfully, I saw it as a sign of weakness, an easy way to answer difficult questions.


Then I realized something that was true to me. I, of all people, have so much faith. I have absolute faith in people and I put my trust in them. That people are inherently good and will eventually do the right thing. I think it was Evan Shulman, many years ago, who once told me, "I'm a humanist...I believe in humanity." And I began to take that to heart. 


Whatever you believe in, believe in it. Wholeheartedly. Believe in God and let yourself be that vessel where you sacrifice yourself for the greater good. Blessed with the ability to help others, whatever allows you to do so, believe in it. Because faith is always there. What form it takes doesn't matter because it's faith, in its purest and most genuine form, that keeps you strong.