Allow faith to lead life

Jennifer Philips
The Reflector

How important is faith in the shaping of our lives? As a child, I attended Mass regularly, at least until the age of 10, but I never really went to Sunday school, and I generally never gave church much attention. I cannot name the books of the Bible. I cannot even tell you a complete story. I know that right now, at least a few of you are praying for my soul, but seriously‹I am quite all right.

When attempting to teach students the German language, Dr. Maria Krol insists that the best way to learn something is just by hearing it over and over and over again. Supposedly, if I hear the phrase "Wie heissen Sie?" enough, I will learn the phrase. I wonder if the same idea applies to values? As I grow older, and, believe me, I notice that I am not quite as resilient as I once was, my moral and ethical convictions have grown with me. I have absolutely no patience for people who steal. I absolutely detest liars. I also cannot understand how some human beings can be as shallow and cruel as they are.

Right about now, you are probably saying, "Thanks for the lecture," but that lecture is over. Directly or indirectly, these ideals I hold are a consequence of my faith and my family. I am redefining the word faith to mean our belief structure, our moral convictions and our personal standards. Think about the activities you are involved with in your everyday life. If you are a member of a fraternity or sorority, you have a heightened sense of the bond of friendship when it comes to your brothers and sisters. Through my involvement with the Air Force ROTC program, I have become more attuned to my commitment to my duties, my honor and the United States of America.

Faith is important because we, as human beings, must have some type of standard we set in our lives. A Baptist preacher in Jasper, Ala., Rev. J. Donnell Brown, delivered his last sermon to his church of 18 and a half years this past Sunday. He made the statement, "No matter how afraid I am to venture off to a new community, I know that it is the right thing for me because my purpose is true, and it is right." Perhaps our ideals come from family, religion or peers. It is time for us, as college students, to look around at our lives, within ourselves and decide what exactly is our faith. What standards do we set for ourselves and for those we call friends? I know this may sound alien, but by knowing what you believe, you will make your life so much simpler. When you are faced with difficult decisions and tribulations, like leaving a place you have called home for the better part of your life, you will find that you already know what is important to you. You will find the answer to all the difficult situations within your heart.

Unfortunately, today, I look around and see an absence of this faith within our society. Too many times, I hear the excuse "Everybody else does it!" Well, do you know what? No‹not everybody else does. Not everybody betrays their families and their wives like former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich or Rep. Gary Condit. They did it! Not you!

It is important that we remember that the claim, "Everybody else does it," is only an attempt to steal away our convictions and to morally bankrupt us as individuals.

If you decide your faith, then no one will be able to blind you with such falsehoods as "everybody else does it."

Believe me, I will always be the first to say grab life by the horns, but, more importantly, grab your faith by the horns. Allow faith to lead you on your journey through life.