ICE SKATING

Imagine a ten year old boy who can't wait to start ice-skating.  The first cold winter day, he quickly puts on his skates and glides out on the glistening pond behind his house.  He is so eager that he fails to notice the sign "danger -- thin ice."  He is full of faith -- but if the ice is not thick enough, he will fall in.  The problem was not with the amount of faith -- the problem was that the "object" of his faith -- the ice -- was not strong enough. 

Now two months go by.  He is restored to health, and he finally overcomes his reluctance to try again.  He cautiously creeps out onto the ice.  His level of faith is very low.  Nevertheless, if the ice is thick enough, it will hold him up, no matter whether he has much faith or little faith.  The effectiveness of faith depends on the strength of the "object."

 

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