Finding God in a Godless world.

There are so many things stirring in my heart, I hardly know where to begin. I'll go back to the beginning of summer.

I don't know about you, but my relationship with God goes through different seasons. At the beginning of this last summer, He told me that He was going to take me back to a "basic faith." Not that He would take me back to where I was, but He was taking me into something even better. If only I had known what that would entail--but it was probably good that I didn't.

As time went on, I began to come to a point where it was the "simple truths" that had the most value--God's love, man's failures redeemed through Christ's sacrifice, John 3:16--you know. The "simple stuff." And then I came to college. In my Bible class, I began to learn things that shook my faith. Things that I had grown up believing to be true were not as true as I thought they had been. The foundation I had built my faith on was being penetrated, and it wasn't the most comfortable thing to go through.

I began asking myself questions that "baby Christians" or those who are seeking God (but do not yet know Him) ask. What's the point of all this? Are we crazy? If God's as real as Jesus claimed to be, why does the world seem so Godless? How can God be real, yet we live in a world where God seems nowhere to be found? Many times I've found myself feeling like an outsider in church, chapel--whenever I'm gathered with a myriad of people who believe in God. It's almost as if I could see the church from an outsider's perspective.

After talking with a close friend of mine tonight (and hearing some of my professors' lectures), I came to realize a few things:

1. Faith without doubt would not be called "faith." Doubt, and asking questions, is normal to the Christian faith. Doubting is normal.

2. Amidst the doubt, we can always hold onto our hope in Jesus Christ. After all, we do hope for the things unseen. The things we're unsure about. It's Jesus Christ that we hold onto. He is our foundation.

3. It's easy for us to ask God why He allows pain and evil into the world, but He could easily ask us the same exact question. "My son, why is there pain and suffering in the world?" More than anything, I believe that this is a call for us to take seriously. We've got a big task ahead of us--bringing the light and truth to a broken and fallen world. But what a joy that is! What an honor that is! That God would choose us. Choose us, the most broken and messed up people around--to fulfill His purposes and build His kingdom. Isn't that crazy?!

Christianity is the only religion with a God who died for His people--who willingly suffered with them, because His love for them was so great. That truth in and of itself is insane! It should blow your mind!

Wherever you're at, be encouraged. God has you there for a reason. You can bring Him glory in all that you do--studying, running, serving the poor--nothing's off limits when it comes to bringing God glory.

Let's be a people that go out and change the world! As cliche as it sounds, it's a valid passion. I know for me personally, I don't want to sit around my entire life and waste it away pursuing wealth, success, whatever--none of that will satisfy. Even if there isn't life after death, even if this was our only life to live, I wouldn't want to sit around and waste it fulfilling my own desires.

It's time to pursue something bigger.

It's time to pursue God, and discover the calling that He has on our lives.

It's time.