Faith

Faith is the driving force for mankind, the unwavering wind which guides countless lost
souls through the trials and tribulations within life. It is the wind that gives humans direction
and purpose within life. Faith; mankind’s belief and submission to a supreme deity which
they themselves cannot even physically see, but yet still know exists all around them. Billions
throughout the world turn their heads to the heavens for guidance each and everyday. For them
faith is the recourse when their souls are drowning in an infinite ocean which continues to engulf
them. It is the Polaris (Northern) star which guides those once lost due north, giving a path and
route to those who never had any resolve within life. Faith bolsters a person to not only conquer,
but yet also thrash any obstacle within his/her path.
My own encounter with faith began many years ago as I was growing from the pangs
of youth and actually began to realize the world which surrounded me. I was 7 years ago
when I first pondered who I am, where I am, and what my purpose was within this transitory
life. At first I thought of the world as a Lego creation over which a supreme being continued to
oversee. Undeniably, there had to be an explanation for the existence which I was living; after
all the countless luxuries which I continued to take advantage of surely couldn’t have been
put into place randomly. For me there was an ineffable feeling that there had to be someone,
something, some greater purpose than this materialistic existence and from within that
sentiment sprouted the seeds of realizing likewise there must also be an afterlife beyond the
brief existence we all enjoy. Even at a young age, despite not being a physical element which
I could see, I knew God had to be there. After all, whenever there wasn’t anything for me, God
was always there. God was always a second away, for the supreme deity has no waiting list,
and the fact that I knew and continue to know that he is listening to me entails all of the facets of
the concept that is faith.
Faith however is put under constant scrutiny especially whilst one is facing a test he/she cannot
bear. For Elie Weisel in Night, the moment of truth was after witnessing the most inconceivable
of acts. He couldn’t believe the divine would allow such horror to occur. The innumerable
prisoners who suffered through the holocaust were patiently awaiting a divine intervention which
failed to occur. How could God allow such horrendous acts, Elie would ask. The fact of the
matter is that whatever good or bad happens, even if it is an act with immense magnitude such
as the holocaust it happens for a reason. True faith is constantly tested, after all even Abraham
was asked to sacrifice his own son for the sake of God; no human could face such an arduous
situation.
Our minuscule minds cannot dare to comprehend the greater plan put under place
by the lord. My own holocaust occurred after I learned that my father was suffering from
cardiovascular disease. I couldn’t bear to ponder what my life would be like after he would pass
away. What would I do? How would our family survive? How would I endure with a widowed
mother? Ever since the day I was born, I’ve been an eyewitness to the countless operations
my father has had to persevere through. From annual laser surgery for his cataracts to surgery
on his heart, arms, and legs, each time was a constant reminder of the fact that one day he
would be no more. This realization also prompted me to ask why I couldn’t have a father like
everyone else; the kind who could play sports with his children or maybe even participate in an
outdoor activity. It was faith that made me realize that maybe there might just be a greater plan
for everything that occurs within life and for now that it was pivotal that I made the most out of
whatever I do have.
Faith is a force not to be reckoned with. It allows humans to scale mountains and accomplish
anything even what one would once deem the inconceivable. Faith leads to true inner
contentment and joy, gives one a sense of direction within life and honestly without it I and even
mankind would not be able survive.
Faith is the driving force for mankind, the unwavering wind which guides countless lost
souls through the trials and tribulations within life. It is the wind that gives humans direction
and purpose within life. Faith; mankind’s belief and submission to a supreme deity which
they themselves cannot even physically see, but yet still know exists all around them. Billions
throughout the world turn their heads to the heavens for guidance each and everyday. For them
faith is the recourse when their souls are drowning in an infinite ocean which continues to engulf
them. It is the Polaris (Northern) star which guides those once lost due north, giving a path and
route to those who never had any resolve within life. Faith bolsters a person to not only conquer,
but yet also thrash any obstacle within his/her path.
My own encounter with faith began many years ago as I was growing from the pangs
of youth and actually began to realize the world which surrounded me. I was 7 years ago
when I first pondered who I am, where I am, and what my purpose was within this transitory
life. At first I thought of the world as a Lego creation over which a supreme being continued to
oversee. Undeniably, there had to be an explanation for the existence which I was living; after
all the countless luxuries which I continued to take advantage of surely couldn’t have been
put into place randomly. For me there was an ineffable feeling that there had to be someone,
something, some greater purpose than this materialistic existence and from within that
sentiment sprouted the seeds of realizing likewise there must also be an afterlife beyond the
brief existence we all enjoy. Even at a young age, despite not being a physical element which
I could see, I knew God had to be there. After all, whenever there wasn’t anything for me, God
was always there. God was always a second away, for the supreme deity has no waiting list,
and the fact that I knew and continue to know that he is listening to me entails all of the facets of
the concept that is faith.
Faith however is put under constant scrutiny especially whilst one is facing a test he/she cannot
bear. For Elie Weisel in Night, the moment of truth was after witnessing the most inconceivable
of acts. He couldn’t believe the divine would allow such horror to occur. The innumerable
prisoners who suffered through the holocaust were patiently awaiting a divine intervention which
failed to occur. How could God allow such horrendous acts, Elie would ask. The fact of the
matter is that whatever good or bad happens, even if it is an act with immense magnitude such
as the holocaust it happens for a reason. True faith is constantly tested, after all even Abraham
was asked to sacrifice his own son for the sake of God; no human could face such an arduous
situation.
Our miniscule minds cannot dare to comprehend the greater plan put under place by the
lord. My own holocaust occurred after I learned that my father was suffering from cardiovascular
disease. I couldn’t bear to ponder what my life would be like after he would pass away. What
would I do? How would our family survive? How would I endure with a widowed mother? Ever
since the day I was born, I’ve been an eyewitness to the countless operations my father has had
to persevere through. From annual laser surgery for his cataracts to surgery on his heart, arms,
and legs, each time was a constant reminder of the fact that one day he would be no more.
This realization also prompted me to ask why I couldn’t have a father like everyone else; the
kind who could play sports with his children or maybe even participate in an outdoor activity. It
was faith that made me realize that maybe there might just be a greater plan for everything that
occurs within life and for now that it was pivotal that I made the most out of whatever I do have.
Faith is a force not to be reckoned with. It allows humans to scale mountains and accomplish
anything even what one would once deem the inconceivable. Faith leads to true inner
contentment and joy, gives one a sense of direction within life and honestly without it I and even
mankind would not be able survive.

-Talha Qamer
TQ