So far on the race its been filled with so many stories of God doing amazing things with people and through people. We’ve encountered many stories that have rocked our faith and given us a glimpse of a greater love that God has for us. We’ve encountered stories of blessings that we literally walked into. We share the stories about people giving their life to Jesus but what about the people we encounter who don’t. Do we dare share the stories that challenge our faith, question why we believe, and walk in confidence of what we believe? Well here’s a story for you!
We are sitting at the community table as if we were having our last supper and a girl walks up who I vaguely introduced myself to because I bombarded her room asking to use the bathroom thinking she was one of my teammates. Talk about awkward and a good laugh.
I began conversing with this girl about how we ended up in Ecuador. Naturally the conversation gravitated towards our missions and my teammate asked about her background. She began saying, “When I was younger I tried Christianity and I didn’t think it was a fit for me. I also tried Catholicism and it just wasn’t for me. I have researched and I’m confident to say I’m am atheist. I don’t believe anything is out there.”
I was a little caught off guard because in my lifetime the people who identified as being athiest were just angry, defensive, and had a hardened heart towards anyone who even mentioned the word Christian. She was the very opposite. She happened to be one of the sweetest strangers I’ve encountered along the race.
And then she asked, “Why do you believe?”
Let’s pause here for a bit.
Right now could you answer this question? It’s more than having a account of growing up in the church, having an encounter(s) with Jesus, and saying the oh so familiar phrases,
“I believe in God.”
“I love God.”
“I don’t go to church but I believe.”
“I pray all the time.”
“Me and Jesus are good.”
“God still working on me.”
I could go on and on of the countless phrases we use but the thing is none of them answer this question that seems so simple to answer. This question looked simple but came fully loaded with holding you accountable to knowing why you go to church every Sunday, why you sing about a man name Jesus, and what motivates you to live a life loving others and abiding by “commandments.”
If I could be honest this question could be terrifying for some to answer if it were presented to us.
Stutter mouth and all what do you say?! And what do you say with confidence that no matter what someone argued it wouldn’t shake the foundation of what and why you believe.
I can only tell you my answer.
I wake up everyday and look outside to see a land and a beauty that no man could even grasp to think, create, or take credit for. I’m convinced that there is someone greater than me and that’s God. I found hope in a God this big who would not only create the ends of the earth but love me so much that He would give the very thing he loved…His son Jesus to die for me in exchange that I could have a relationship with him. I believe because in a world where perfectionism is idolized I’m reminded the only perfect one is God and my imperfections only put my hope in knowing I’ll never be perfect but I can look to a perfect God to guide me. In a world where we been told to figure it out on your own I’ve been able to look beyond myself and believe that the God I believe knows the plans for my life and I don’t have to figure it out all at once.
In a world where you can be convinced you can find your peace in alcohol, drugs, and others I’ve experienced a peace that surpasses all understanding from the God I believe in. In a world where we go to so many flawed things and people to find a perfect love I’ve been able to experience a love that is unconditional and not based off my failures and inconsistencies.
I believe in Him which is why my actions reflect what I believe. I go to church because I believe. I pray and sing because I believe. I love others as myself because I believe.
My question to you is, “Why do you believe?”
Let why you believe be the confidence you stand on everyday. Be glad in what and why you believe. Sometimes we are confident in so many things other than our faith.
I pray this sparks a fire in you to find out why you believe and be confident in what you believe so when a person asks you,
“Why do you believe?”
You can say “I am fully confident that….”
Back to the story! She didn’t “convert”. The door was open for us to discuss what evangelism looked like and how I carry it out in my daily life. We both walked away confident in what we believed and a greater understanding for one another. Whether we planted a seed or watered the seed along the journey my prayer is one day she would find the answer to “why she believes!”
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”
Romans 1:19?-?23 NLT
Thank you to those that have recently given! It has been greatly appreciated as we have transitioned to cooler climates. A thicker sweater was much needed! We’ll be headed to Bolivia for a month in a few days! If you would like to donate personally there are two ways,
Paypal: [email protected]
Square cash: $CandaceRae
Thank you for staying on the race with me!
