Faith and Fear

When I put down Anna Deavere Smith's Letters to a Young Artist, I didn't want it to be over. I had hoped there would be more, not that the text was lacking, but that it was so affirming. “Yes!” I would shout as I read – take that fellow library users.

Nowhere was this shout more audible than after reading the chapter entitled “Faith” (173). It is the shortest chapter, much shorter than the chapter called “Fear” (133-136), though the two are not that far apart. Aspects of our society – on all sides of the faith question – tend to characterize the opposite of faith as doubt. It makes sense, if we are defining faith in terms of belief, as many do. I tend to think of faith as a way through, a reconciling force for Good in the world. To me the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear – particularly as it is related to faith in ourselves – as artists, storytellers. This is not to say that we are to be reckless, but we are to live and love fearlessly.

Smith puts it very well: “Whatever that means, spiritual or otherwise. It's crucial to keep the faith. Never stop believing” (173). I would adjust only the last line: Never stop living fearlessly.

-Bob

P.S. That was difficult to write about without falling back on faith language from my vocation, but I did my best.