Jeff Johnson: Take the first victorious step; the rest will be commentary

I have been humming the Ira Sankey tune “Faith is the Victory” all week. I am not sure why.

The song stands juxtaposed to the pulse of my life these days, created partly by my biological heartbeat and partly by circuitry. It is virtually impossible for me to proceed through a normal day without reaching out for the aid or comfort of some gizmo that bleeds virtual existence. Jeff JohnsonI never dreamed electronic culture would make me live in an electronic sweatshop. At least my ancestors had a chance to escape the sweatshop. It holds a “technological whip” over me. I go from place to place with what amounts to an electronic dog collar appended to me.

It is like the cartoon that touted: “I have seen the future, and it hurts.” The informational age has enslaved me. Yet I go on trusting technology to help me get through my day. And despite the glitches and crashes, I have grown to have great faith in these devices.

In general, it is easy for me to have “faith” in technological advances that seemingly make my life easier, more comfortable, more efficient and more self- sufficient. How ironic: The easier it has become to have faith in the technological world of things human beings have created, the more difficult it is for me to have faith in the promises of God.

“Having faith” to me is not nearly as comforting as “having proof.” Living “by faith” is often far more frightening to me than living “on credit.” To “have faith” and to live “by faith” may have been OK for some old wandering Aramean with no mortgage, no car payments, no deadlines, even no children. But this is the 21st century. Is faith still a “victory”?

Where was the victory for Abraham when he took that first step on his journey to Canaan? The rest was commentary. For that matter, where was the victory for David when he took that first step forward, bent to pick up the first of five smooth stones? The rest was commentary.

Where was the victory for Noah when he took that first step and drove the first nail into the ark? The rest was commentary. Where was the victory for Moses when he took that first step away from Pharaoh’s family and joined his own people? The rest was commentary. Where was the victory for Daniel when he took that first step into Nebuchadnezzar’s presence? The rest was commentary.

Texas Baptists have exciting days ahead as we eye our annual meeting in Waco. Our theme? “Live the Difference.” To transform Texas, we must collectively take that “first step.” Yes, faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Let’s take the first step together. The rest will be commentary.

Jeff Johnson is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce.