ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY
The Power of Faith
by Michael McCleary

Faith. For such a small five-letter word, it's one of the biggest, most profound meaning words known to mankind. We often don't think of it that way, but think of how many different, yet similar meanings there are for the word, faith. When you think of or hear the word faith, what is your first thought?

The Merriam Webster (www.webster.com) dictionary defines faith this way:

1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : LOYALTY b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

synonym see BELIEF
- in faith : without doubt or question

Faith is truly a powerful word and concept in our world. One only has to look around themselves to see examples of all three definitions. In the world as a whole it is quite easy to see examples of definitions number one and two. One could argue that the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan are a result of a group of people's faith, or in a broader meaning, the clash of two faiths. The Israeli, Palestinian conflict has roots in faith. Faith also has played a part in the deplorable situation in the Darfur region of Sudan. Faith has such a power as to bring nations and people to raise arms against one another.

Faith also has the power to bring us together for the common good. Whether its Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of a nation where racial background means little, or Gandhi's resistance of tyranny in creating an independent Indian nation; faith has offered the hope of freedom to millions. Faith plays out on a daily basis whether it is communities joining together in synagogues, temples and churches, to organizations that clothe, shelter and feed the needy. Faith has the power to perform miracles in our lives.

Definition three, in our own personal lives, also provides one of the greatest impacts for change. How many times when you had total belief and conviction in an outcome did it amazingly by some miracle occur? In last month's article I discussed the power of intention. I shared the concept that our thoughts and belief in a certain outcome can actually manifest itself physically in the world. My belief is the power of intention is, at its core, driven by faith.

Without faith we cannot have conviction or belief in an outcome. We can hope, or pray, but in the end that's all such an action is, hope. When we have true and complete faith in ourselves, in others and in God, we have the ability to change not our own lives but the world as a whole. As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the staircase."

The past two years of my life have revolved around one key element. Faith. Without faith I never would have started Beacon Media, or my television series, or met the amazing and wonderful people I have in the past year. When I decided to begin listening to my inner voice and see the world through a different set of eyes, the eyes of faith, my life was turned upside down. I want you to take note; I'm not necessarily just speaking of religious faith. What I mean to express is a spiritual faith, a vast reservoir that exists deep within us, that is beyond our reason, logic and doctrinal explanation.

I have found faith to be a deeply profound and moving experience. It is something that is greater than all of us, yet is accessible to everyone. One of my favorite quotes is by Emmanuel Tenney and it reads, "As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit."

If you are struggling, I encourage you to take the time to search for the full meaning of faith in your life and in the world. Don't be afraid to ask yourself the question, "What is faith?"

Michael McCleary is the co-founder and CEO of Beacon Media, LLC a video production, web design and new media company located in Bay Port, Michigan. He is also the creator, host and executive producer of the new TV series, Anything But Ordinary, coming to PBS and online in the summer of 2006. To find out more about Michael and his projects you can visit his Web site at www.beaconmediaonline.comwww.anythingbutordinary.net, by stopping by his biweekly Vision teleclass at www.beaconmediaonline.com/teleclass.htm, his TV series at www.anythingbutordinary.net, by stopping by his biweekly Vision teleclass at www.beaconmediaonline.com/teleclass.htm, or look for his audio podcast on iTunes (www.itunes.com) by searching under the title "Anything But Ordinary". You can also contact him directly by sending an e-mail to: column@beaconmediaonline.com.