Members and guests as we endeavor to solve the budget and fiscal issues facing the State of California, I am reminded of a theological concept known as faith. Faith means different things to different people but this morning I am going to refer to the definition in the book of Hebrews reading from the New American Standard version:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
In her book “Acts of Faith” Iyanla Vanzant writes:
“The bumblebee’s wings are so thin and its body so big, it should not be able to fly. The only problem is, the bee doesn’t know that.
Most of us do not know what we cannot do until someone tells us. We are willing to try almost anything, go anywhere, stretch ourselves to the limits in pursuit of our dreams. And then we talk to other people. We are reminded of how dangerous it may be, how ridiculous it sounds, what a chance we are taking. People have no problem informing us of all the downsides and pitfalls; they cannot see how we will ever reach the goal. They put us in touch with our faults, limitations, and habits. They remind us of all the others who didn’t make it, and in vivid detail they tell us why. They give us warnings, cautions and helpful hints about alternative things we can do. When they are finished, we have been effectively talked right out of our dreams. Bumblebees do not talk and neither should we. If we have a dream we want to come true, the only way to it is through it. We must take a chance, a risk and a leap. If we believe in ourselves and our ability, we will be taught how to fly. “
May this be God’s will.
Amen.