Collateral Faith
The 2016 film Collateral Beauty addresses the struggle of finding meaning in heartbreak and death. It’s about finding love in the midst of loss, of raising one’s eyes to see the good in front of oneself when all seems dark. It almost seems like an incongruity – how could something like beauty be an accident? Or worse, a secondary, unintended effect?
When we are reading and studying the Bible, we often focus on the main characters. We rarely consider those who are around watching, participating as members of the faceless, nameless “crowd.” We discuss the spiritual development of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, and perhaps even their effect on those around them. But what about the person standing there watching? What effect might it have on them to see the Savior heal, teach, and even interact well with those around him?
“Remember, you may be the only Bible your neighbors read.” This reminder challenges us to think about our influence, to remain aware that others are watching. What effect will our life have on those who are? Will we create disillusionment if they know we are Christians, or might there be collateral faith?
Those who witnessed Jesus and the apostles heal were certainly affected by it. Not all chose to follow, of course, but Jesus’s life and example challenged them to think. It captured their attention and sowed spiritual seed in their minds and hearts that could develop later (Matt. 13). What does our example sow?
In many situations, most people will find themselves as not the main character or even a supporting character, but as more of a participant or observer. What we see challenges us. For example, when we think about spiritual gifts, some gifts almost automatically come with faces attached to them: faith, intercession, giving, and mercy. Yet as we watch these people’s examples, we are changed. We see someone model complete peace and faith in an outcome none of us can see. We see the individual who just received the diagnosis and determines to glorify God through his or her death. We see the prayer warrior who knows specifically what needs to be prayed for and never fails to bring needs before the Lord. We see the parents who generously take in “extra kids,” loving and supporting them as their own. And we picture those among us who can relate to those in pain, bringing healing and hope. In each of these cases, we neither a main character nor a participant, but we are changed.
Through several vignettes in Matt. 8, it’s pretty clear to see that Jesus’s works were affecting people.
The Centurion heard of Jesus and believed he had power to heal, even at a distance (8:5-13).
Imagine being a member of the household when Peter’s mother-in-law was healed and, with no recovery time, began waiting on everyone again. Word got out, and people arrived in droves (8:14-17).
When a furious storm arose on the lake, no one in that boat could have been left unchanged once the winds and the waves subsided. In fact, their amazement and processing show just how shocking the events were (8:27). And those on the shore who heard about it would likely have been just as stunned by the turn of events.
And finally, after Jesus restored two demon-possessed men, the people observed Jesus’s undeniable power, even if they couldn’t understand it (8:28-34).
Perhaps the most difficult part of being a Christian is living our daily lives, making the right choices in what can seem like an unrelenting string of decisions. Will we use this moment to bless or stress? To be present or stay in our own head? To be light and life to another or succumb to the dark environment in which we sometimes find ourselves? Even when we aren’t the main character, but are merely a member of the crowd trying to be the right person day in and day out, we need to recognize our effect on those around us. The Bible offers beautiful examples of those who lived a quiet life well but whose impact was still heard. We need to strive to be people whose lives can create impacts we never know, perhaps even to help others create collateral faith.
