Demanding an Explanation, Lent Part 5

Spirituality Column #230
April 5, 2011
Current in Carmel - Westfield - Noblesville – Fishers
(Indianapolis north suburban home newspapers)

Lenten Series 2011: Just Not That into God, Part 5
Demanding an Explanation
By Bob Walters

I was just not that into God for a long time because no one could explain specifically what God was supposed to be in my life.

Many caring people told me I “needed Jesus,” should “go to church,” had to “be saved,” proclaimed the “inerrancy of the Bible” and invoked the “sovereignty of God.”

I’d engage, arguing that I was basically a good person, didn’t trust organized religion, and pooh-poohed the whole “Jesus is the only way” mantra. “The way to where, and why?” I’d ask.

I’d dismiss the Bible as just an “old book” of generally decent advice and rejected the notion that anything or anyone was totally in charge of this often inexplicable world. Plus, the irrational math of the “three in one” Trinity was too bizarre to take seriously.

In sum, nobody’s explanation of their faith ever overcame my combination of self assuredness and skepticism.

Turns out … everybody who’s been there and understands say “Amen” … that nobody else can explain God’s place in our individual lives. Only we can sense it, believe it, know it. Only the ironic combination of self examination amid revelation, scripture, teaching, love, hope and raw faith can explain – to me – God’s overpowering presence in an individual life.

Thunder, lightening and drama are optional. My own epiphany 10 years ago while sitting quietly in church, outwardly, was little more than a tear on my cheek.

I just knew.

It’s such an unexpected equation. My walk with the Lord is mine alone, but only works when shared with others. One’s relationship with the Lord is formed in many ways, pieces and places – Church, the Bible, prayer, received instruction and preaching, service, patience, trust, investigation, reflection, study – but ultimately it is a one-on-one encounter with God that actuates one’s faith. We cannot install our own faith into someone else, not even with love.

What we can do – what Christians are called to do – is reflect the loving light of Jesus Christ on the world around us. We can introduce Jesus – “witness” – to others in many ways by sharing our story, citing scripture, preaching, praying, explaining, loving or serving, but faith cannot be forced … neither by my will nor another’s request. Only the Holy Spirit can answer that call.

So … make the call. And when the call is answered, listen.

No one else’s explanation will ever be as convincing as your own.

Walters (www.believerbob.blogspot.com, email rlwcom@aol.com) received a surprising email recently from someone he worked with but barely knew back in the 1970s. ’Said they’d been praying for him all these years. Amazing.