Was it need or awe?
It’s been said that most people come to faith in God in one of two ways. One way is that they reach out to God in a time of great need or crisis. The other is that they simply recognize the awesomeness of God and respond to that.
For one, God reveals himself as provider or healer or deliverer. For the other, God reveals himself through his creation, the miracle of birth, or some other awe-filled experience. For both, God is actively revealing himself. And for both, a revelation of God begins a journey of getting to know the depth of the nature and character of God.
My question is; do we value one story over another? Here’s a little test. Which story do you find most compelling?
- Doris grew up in a Christian home. Her parents taught her from a young age that God created the world, but when she saw the Grand Canyon at age 19, the majesty of God just blew her away. She committed her life to Jesus based on God’s creative power and majesty.
- Dick grew up in a dysfunctional home with a series of step-fathers and mother’s boyfriends. After years of alcohol abuse, he hit bottom. Desperate, he went to a 12-step program in a church where he met a believer who led him to Jesus, and was miraculously delivered from addiction.
Of course, it’s a trick question. You already have figured out that it’s my contention that we (meaning most of us) think that the rescue from addiction is the greater story. It seems more interesting, more dramatic, and well, gripping. But we would be wrong.
Both stories are about depraved, broken, sinful human beings starting a journey on the pathway to faith in God through Jesus and being changed by his grace. Both stories deserve a hearing. Both stories need to be celebrated.
How did your faith journey begin? Need or awe? If you haven’t yet started a faith journey, begin where you are. Let God reveal himself to you as you awake to his awesomeness or as he meets your need.
What’s your story?
