Faith is not just a belief; it is an action, a choice to trust God even when His voice is silent. The power of faith shines most brightly when understanding fails, and obedience becomes a form of seeing. C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces and the biblical story of Mary’s fiat offer timeless lessons on how faith calls us to surrender, trust, and act even in the face of mystery.
The Power of Faith in Silence
In Till We Have Faces, Lewis explores how faith grows through trials and unanswered questions. Orual, the novel’s protagonist, struggles to trust an unseen God, demanding answers that never come. Over time, she learns that God’s silence is not absence but presence, teaching the power of faith through patience and surrender.
"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer."
Orual’s realization captures the essence of the power of faith: trusting in God not because we fully understand, but because He is the answer beyond comprehension. Faith becomes a light in darkness, a courage to obey even when the path is unclear.
Mary’s Fiat: Faith in Action
Mary’s fiat in Luke 1:26–38 offers a perfect biblical mirror to Orual’s journey. By saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word,” Mary demonstrates the power of faith through obedience and trust. Unlike Orual, Mary steps into faith without needing to understand everything, showing that surrender itself is a powerful act of belief.
Hebrews 11:1 reinforces this truth:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Psalm 46:10 adds a reminder to pause and trust: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Both Mary and Orual remind us that faith is active, courageous, and transformative.
Applying the Power of Faith Today
Modern life often tests our faith, leaving us in moments of uncertainty and silence. The lessons from Orual and Mary show that faith does not require perfect understanding: it requires trust, patience, and surrender. By embracing silence as part of spiritual growth, we can experience the power of faith in our daily lives.
Resources like the Science, Reason, and Faith Catholic Study Bible allow readers to reflect on scripture alongside literature, deepening their understanding of faith as both a virtue and a lived experience. Faith becomes a way to see through darkness, not around it, shaping how we respond to challenges and uncertainty.
The Power of Faith in Everyday Life
Faith is not the absence of questions but the courage to trust in silence. From Orual’s journey in Till We Have Faces to Mary’s simple “yes,” we learn that surrender is itself a form of seeing. By embracing the power of faith through trust and obedience, we align ourselves with God’s presence even when He seems quiet.
Deepening the Journey of Faith Through Scripture
For those who feel drawn to explore these themes more deeply, the Science, Reason, and Faith Catholic Study Bible offers a thoughtful way to continue the journey. Its reflections and commentary invite readers to sit with Scripture in the same spirit of trust and openness that shaped both Mary’s “yes” and Orual’s transformation. Pre-ordering it provides an opportunity to enter more fully into the harmony of faith, reason, and lived experience.
Similarly, Science, Reason, and Faith: Discovering the Bible offers gentle guidance for anyone wishing to grow in understanding. It provides a steady companion for prayer, study, and reflection, helping readers encounter God’s word with the same attentiveness that allows faith to flourish in silence. Those who wish to continue this path can find it available for purchase through the Magis Center.
