I guess you could call this a finale. The finale. Which it kind of is, except it's not just about me. It's a whole lot bigger than me.
Basically, it has to do with an epiphany. And an insight. And a whole lot of searching and worry and maybe even a couple tears, although not all in that order, exactly.
Those of you who have read the last few posts (about knowing/believing/having faith and those deep soul-searching questions) might know what I'm talking about, since this is directly related to both of those topics.
See, I've been struggling with questions lately. Questions about God, Christianity, other religions, and truth. But mostly truth. Up until this point I've believed in the God of the Bible mainly because it's what I've always done. I grew up with Jesus, and since everyone I know believes in Jesus I did, too.
And I didn't even realize it until last weekend, when the questions hit. Suddenly I realized that I'd been taking everything for granted. I'd never bothered to examine the truth of my beliefs because I just assumed they were right, and suddenly assumption wasn't good enough anymore.
So I started searching. I talked to my parents, my youth leaders, and even a few people I don't really know, because that's how badly I wanted answers. I started reading four books at once and Dad even emailed one of our pastors.
And I was scared. Since I'd never bothered to do any searching before, the idea of having a reasonable doubt about Jesus' authenticity terrified me. I was afraid that when I really looked for Jesus, I wouldn't find him. I thought I'd do some poking around in history and discover that really, the Resurrection was impossible.
I found just the opposite.
In asking questions, in searching for the truth, I found Jesus. He's real, guys. He came, he died (taking the punishment for our sins) and he rose again. He DID.
It's real. He's real.
And I don't know how, but I've never really thought about it like this before. Somehow I never actually considered Jesus to be a very real part of our lifelong, human legacy. But the facts are all there.
And oh my gosh, this is exciting. How could I have missed something so huge? It's just so crazy -- the God who created the universe walked hand-in-hand with humans. He was "pierced through for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
It says in John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Luke 11:9, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
I've been doing a lot of asking. And seeking. And knocking (although just figuratively.) I've also done a lot of recieving, finding, and door-opening.
In searching I have found.
I've found the Truth, and it HAS set me free.
Basically, it has to do with an epiphany. And an insight. And a whole lot of searching and worry and maybe even a couple tears, although not all in that order, exactly.
Those of you who have read the last few posts (about knowing/believing/having faith and those deep soul-searching questions) might know what I'm talking about, since this is directly related to both of those topics.
See, I've been struggling with questions lately. Questions about God, Christianity, other religions, and truth. But mostly truth. Up until this point I've believed in the God of the Bible mainly because it's what I've always done. I grew up with Jesus, and since everyone I know believes in Jesus I did, too.
And I didn't even realize it until last weekend, when the questions hit. Suddenly I realized that I'd been taking everything for granted. I'd never bothered to examine the truth of my beliefs because I just assumed they were right, and suddenly assumption wasn't good enough anymore.
So I started searching. I talked to my parents, my youth leaders, and even a few people I don't really know, because that's how badly I wanted answers. I started reading four books at once and Dad even emailed one of our pastors.
And I was scared. Since I'd never bothered to do any searching before, the idea of having a reasonable doubt about Jesus' authenticity terrified me. I was afraid that when I really looked for Jesus, I wouldn't find him. I thought I'd do some poking around in history and discover that really, the Resurrection was impossible.
I found just the opposite.
In asking questions, in searching for the truth, I found Jesus. He's real, guys. He came, he died (taking the punishment for our sins) and he rose again. He DID.
It's real. He's real.
And I don't know how, but I've never really thought about it like this before. Somehow I never actually considered Jesus to be a very real part of our lifelong, human legacy. But the facts are all there.
And oh my gosh, this is exciting. How could I have missed something so huge? It's just so crazy -- the God who created the universe walked hand-in-hand with humans. He was "pierced through for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
It says in John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Luke 11:9, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
I've been doing a lot of asking. And seeking. And knocking (although just figuratively.) I've also done a lot of recieving, finding, and door-opening.
In searching I have found.
I've found the Truth, and it HAS set me free.
This is so awesome! I'm glad you took the time to learn and discover and find the truth for yourself. And you're very right. Jesus, and everything he did, is real. It is the truth!
ReplyDelete- Reagan