The first leap is the longest. If our faith survives that, then the distance of each subsequent leap becomes smaller.

i would add though that for most of us ( ok all of us) the importance we have to ‘our lives ‘ is far greater than the importance we have to the rest of the Universe taken as a whole It’ll pretty much carry on as usual with or without us – our pride gives us a somewhat skewed version of this. (some of us far more than others – i’m sure you have met some of the people i mean).

Also i would view from a slightly differing perspective your thought of the last line above…

if we ‘must’ rely upon Trust then i see your point, but i don’t think it applies if we CAN rely more and more upon trust and learn to build up our trust and therefore our Faith/Hope.

If we feel that ‘trust’ (not reality) is ALL we have then that will make it harder to manage to achieve that ‘leap’.

Sometimes a movement in perspective allows us to see that we CAN trust in something more than we ever thought we could before.

it is a very personal thing though and not something one person is likely to be able to show someone else (when it comes to trusting in God i mean). Not unless and untill something ‘major’ happens in our life.

Generally that something major requires a very severe situation or event to be experienced and i do not wish that on you or anyone – even if sometimes He ensures it happens!

<B

The only part of my successes I can lay claim to is based on the degree to which I could control the circumstance.

I had nothing to do with creating the universe, world, country, or family I was born into. These dictate the opportunities I will have, and the degree of control I have over them.

I am a very small cog in a very big wheel. I can contribute very little to how well the wheel works. However, how successfully I do my part will have an effect, even if small, on the overall efficiency with which the wheel works.

I am both insignificant and important.

How much confidence we place in our faith depends on the impact faith has had on our lives.

The more we must rely on trust, the greator the leap of faith is.

i don’t know of many (any?) people who have their ego’s in anything like a ‘true’ proportion with respect to the Universe (if you have read Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy you may be aware that the last thing a sentient being can afford to have is a true sense of perspective and their place in the Universe)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Perspective_Vortex#Total_Perspective_Vortex

i’m assuming you also understand and appreciate that the entire rest of the universe has had some ’say’ in your success also, not just other human beings??

and if you recognise that, it is but a small ’step’ over to a faith in God.

the input into the things which have formed ‘my life’ has come much more from ‘everything that is not me’ than ‘me’. ( ie. ‘God’)

No giant ‘leap’ required, merely a switch of perspectives.

<B

Anyone who really thinks they have complete control over whatever success they have obtained in life must be the world’s biggest egotist, and blind as well.

I do have a rather large ego, but not quite that big.

Of course I see many hands have helped me, not one big one.

(and when you put your thoughts as being more important than the ones He has ‘for you’. eg if we think that it is all down to ‘me’ – that i am responsible for what i have achieved in my life and nothing happens to me that i have not ‘created’ – that is somewhat ‘unrealistic’).

<B

“We are to praise and worship Him so that WE gain from it; it re-inforces in our human mind and spiritual beings the correct priority of Him over us and prevents us from feeling like we are the ones who deserve all praise over He who is above all.’

I can see your point. My questions is to what degree does God’s guidance require you to worship him? I am thinking of all the resources, cathedrals, being committed to worshiping him.

Since I don’t worship God, or even believe he exist, I have no expectations of being rewarded by him. If I commit a sin against someone I expect to be punished. If I break the laws of the society I live in I expect to be punished. If however the extent of my “sin” is in not worshiping God, and he still punishes me, condemns me to everlasting hell, than I do see him as acting like any father/dictator.

I can also see where believers worship God, and choose to commit time and money to this worship, out of love of God, whether they are required to or not. Placing God, or anyone above us, does help us learn to deal with our own pride and ego.

It must be comforting to believe that God is always watching over you. That no matter the circumstances you find yourself in, he will reward you, either in this world or the next, if you live by his guidance.

Job was not responsible for his misfortune. He was responsible for giving cry out and bemoaning his fate. However in the end he recognizes his sin and repents.

It is when you question his judgment that you have to watch out for lightning bolts.