Theology of As If

I was talking to a friend recently, who has been struggling with an estrangement resulting from a challenging daughter-in-law.  I was glad to learn that something I said was helpful to her. I asked her if she could just pretend.  Even though she might not entirely feel resolution in her heart, could she not just pretend that the past is all in the past?  Thankfully, that struck a cord with her .

It also struck memories of my theological days and various discoveries and reading.  I cannot quote exactly,  but I do believe I recall that John Wesley, who sometimes had moments of uncertainty in his faith,  once said to just act as if you believe and have faith, until it becomes true.  This notion suggests a lot of power in the as-if-ness! It suggests a way of being.

I also remember reading a description of the “kingdom of God” as being a reality lived out on earth “as if” that kingdom has already been accomplished.   If one lives as if the reign of peace is already here,  as if everyone is reconciled and all is forgiven,  as if  Christ has already returned and ushered in God’s reign----that’s one powerful way of creating such a reality.

Now I am thinking of three realities.  There is the already.  (that which is real and present and now, that which has happened).  There is the not yet.  (that which has not yet happened or arrived).  And there is the as if (that which we can create through our imaginations and the gift of grace.)

When we need it most, may God give us the grace to live in the reality of as if.