From An Email To A Struggling Friend
‘Everything will be all right in the end’ still works for me, limited God and all, so long as I locate ‘the end’ way beyond my earthly life. When I fight against Chuck Norris, no one (even Chuck) can be sure exactly how long it will last or how many lucky punches I may get in before I succumb, but everyone (including me) knows that I’m going down in the end. That’s the surest hope I have: That, in the end, Love will prove to be stronger than everything else. I can’t prove it, of course, but I’ve decided to live as though it is true because nothing else inspires me, and because I genuinely like that way of life. The more I do so, of course, the more convinced I become that my hope is true. Most ways of life are self-verifying that way, which is why I sometimes tell friends who are struggling with faith that the most important question isn’t what kind of God are you sure of, but rather what kind of God do you most desperately, most surely hope for. After all, that’s the only One you’ll keep following even when the chips are down.
I totally agree, I think our view of God has been shaped a lot by man, yet the central theme, the cord which binds us all together, and its seen through songs, books, and movies is Love. We have to believe God is bigger than our concerns about life and death.
Comment by Religion Checks — December 2, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
Bart, as a brother in ministry, I know the feelings you express. What’s more, I often think “how many battles do we have to lose before He wins the big one?” And “why is God so unconcerned about losing?”
Nevertheless, it seems you may be more negative than I. Would you say with me: even if I lose it all, it’s been worth it all? I am a missionary with 14 years of life overseas, much of which has been in hard places where little, if any, “progress” has been made. But when I look back–even if I was wrong and Jesus isn’t Who He said he was–I still have few regrets! I don’t care about $, status or fame. The little I have of them, the more I see how hollow they are. Truly, to live is Christ, to die is gain. Agreed?
Comment by dave — December 3, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
I love this post… well said. Thank you for your honesty
Comment by Corinne — December 10, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Dave, great response. Agreed.
Bart, thanks for your honesty and transparency.
Comment by Joyce — December 10, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
You have a nice article…have a great day.
Comment by Lovita — June 30, 2010 @ 8:57 pm