Only Believe

 

My dynamic journalism teacher first introduced "The 5Ws and H" method to a class of eager, impressionable, and inquisitive ninth grade apprentices.  She introduced us to notable news figures. from Ida B. Wells, Jack Anderon, Ben Bradlee, Dorothy Thompson, to Walter Lippman among others, icons in the art and business of writing and reporting.  By the time we had attained "veteran" status as senior high school editors of the "Marshall News," we couldn't wait to debut as fully prepared news and feature reporters after college graduation.  Indeed, the world would become our oyster!

The 5Ws and H serve as the foundation of traditional news articles, which occupy prominence on the first page of the first section of newspapers.  Paragraphs that follow build upon the "lead," or first paragraph.  Our journalism instructor supervised the efforts of news, features, and sports coverage staff.  She managed "putting the paper to bed" on the last Friday of each month.  As student contemporaries of the likes of Woodward and Bernstein, only their skills surpassed our enthusiasm.  We believed in what we did! How else to explain why we stayed late preparing "proofs" for the printer.  Those were the days, my friend..."

Like so much I've learned, I file many themes and topics in an expandable file.  I do, however, remember the big picture---concepts, topics, and themes---so I can retrieve them as needed.  Ready to illuminate, like flashlight and candles for unexpected blackouts.  When I write about beliefs and believing, I subconsciously attach The Five Ws and H concept as defining criteria.  I embrace my beliefs by holding whatever it is to how it measures up to the "Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How."

So I ask, Who do I believe? What am I believing? When does the belief emerge? Where does the belief make itself known? Why is my belief important? How does the belief manifest?  Which brings me to the crux---or is it the Cross---of this quandary about beliefs and believing. I had read Matthew 7: 7 so often, I not only could recite them but would vigorously recommend them as solace to others.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." 

Okay. Ask.  Do I believe God will answer?

What is the request?

Seek. Do I believe my quest will produce the desired outcome?

Knock. Do I believe it (the whole door) will be opened? Do I believe I really can walk through the doorway to problems solved, prayers answered?

"For the one who asks receives."  Would I recognize the answer if it introduced itself to me?

"For the one who seeks finds." Do I believe I will be satisfied with what I find? Blessings or bane?

"And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  Do I have the courage, the faith, to walk through the door to victory?

Until recently, my "statistics" would have been abysmal.  Why? Mother would call me a "sometimes" believer, as one who lacked consistency. backbone, and perseverance.  And faith.  She would intone, O ye of little faith!" She'd be right, of course.  However, I finally revisited the (late) James Cleveland, gospel singer extraordinaire, and reveled in his singing "Father, open our eyes that we may see To follow Thee. Lord Grant us Thy loving peace, oh yeah.  And let all dissension cease. Let our faith each day increase, oh yeah,  And Master, yeah, please,0 Open our eyes."

I also engaged in an intensive study of the two verses, which helped to grow my faith and literally, spiritually opened my eyes.  Along with other sensory apertures; I welcomed a knowingness, an acceptance of Truth I had never known.  Belief and believing became visceral and alive, with the urgency to wrap in the Promise, "For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," as the Holy Bible records in Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV).