Dad.
Yes, son.
Has the world always been like this?
What do you mean?
The good and the bad, Dad. It’s like for all the good things there are, there seems to be so much in the world that’s been. It’s like as soon as you enjoy yourself over one thing, you’re informed and reminded about how bad things are in another area. Has that always been the case, Dad?
I suppose so, son. I don’t know it to have been any different.
Does that mean that this is how it’s always going to be?
Well …
Come on, Dad. Is that all we have to look forward to in life? Glimpses of the good and snapshots of the bad all mixed together in a seemingly endless cycle – is that it?
You know something, son. My father always told us as his children that there are fundamental truths to understand about life. There is a God; He is good; He creates; He sustains and He judges.
What use is that to me, Dad. He created this mess? He’s keeping this mess going? How can He be in a position to judge all this and how can He be good if this is what He’s come up with?
I hear your frustration, son. I hear you and I understand. I asked my father about that as well. He told me to look at the life and times of Jesus the Messiah. He told me to consider the words He said and what He did. Everything we see about Jesus proves the point of those five fundamentals. Jesus did good works – He brought change to the circumstances of those around Him. Blind people could see. Deaf people could hear. Poor people heard good news that the rule of God had come. Even dead people were brought back to life.
Yeah, I hear all that, Dad. But that was years ago written in a book that old about someone who is a myth really, isn’t He? If that’s all fairy tales, it might have a good moral message, but it’s not doing much to change this mess of a world we live in. Where’s the change these days, Dad? It just seems as though things are always as they have been.
I know. I know what you mean. I see what you see as well. It’s understandable that it can lead you to despair. The only thing I can encourage you to do is to look at Jesus for yourself and consider the claims about Him throughout history. Even consider those who would say that He is not a myth but is very real and has brought real change not just in their lives but the lives of others. While you do that, also ask yourself this question: who are you living for?
What do you mean, Dad?
You rightly point out that this world is in a mess. Maybe if you asked the question of who you’re living for, that might help to explain why the mess persists even with a good, creative, sustaining God who will judge. Maybe if we want to see change in the situation, we might have to change who we live for.
Are you saying that things will only get better if we all become Christians, Dad? They’re all hypocrites, though. They’re ignorant, prejudiced, holier-than-thou types who put me off ever wanting to go near their faith.
Is that strictly true? I know you’ve had a few bad experiences with one or two people who give the impression that religion is about looking to get things from God by jumping through hoops. That’s not the whole picture, son. Maybe it’s worth exploring Jesus and those who follow Him for yourself, that might help you to come to a more measured conclusion. You wouldn’t want people to reach a judgement on you based on your worst behaviour, would you?
Hmmmmmmmmm … I hear you, Dad.
What are you going to do, son?
…
Father open our eyes to see. To see who you are. To see why it’s so important to live for you. To see the world for what it is and for what you created it to be. To see ourselves as you see us and to see others as you see them as well. To see the the change that comes when we turn from our selfish ways and turn to you. To see the difference when we embrace faith in you through your Son, Jesus Christ. To see the transformation as we receive your Holy Spirit to live in us and direct us to you. To see what happens when that is shared around us for your honour. Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our hearts to receive and our hands to serve. So you will be glorified.
(Photo by Julie Johnson on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 