A few years ago, I was asked to speak at an interfaith university convention. I must admit, I was terrified and a little frustrated going into it. I grew up in an environment that intentionally portrayed Christianity. Engaging with people who believed differently to me had always been a tremendously contentious struggle, because it threatened much of what my family had dedicated their lives to.
I had watched people aggressively attack what I believe – atheists who had been hurt by the church, ‘Communists’ who were trying to find evidence that we were missionaries in China, New Age spiritualists who passionately tried to convince me that Christianity was too restrictive. But this was different. I walked into a room where everyone believed in a deity. They were clearly sincere in their belief – and the atmosphere was of tolerance and discourse.
Facilitated by a woman of the Bahai religion, the panel discussion was all around the basic principles of what we believed. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism were all represented and their world views were enthusiastically discussed. I was admittedly taken aback by everyone’s respect for each other – but listening to people describe their daily commitment challenged me to the core. These were people who prayed every day, worked with the poor and set aside their disagreements to engage on an intellectual level concerning their beliefs.
There seemed to be a few clear similarities between everyone – peace, commitment and (to varying degrees) love. This was a point in my life that forced me to immediately go deeper. The facilitator went to great efforts to try to persuade people that everyone believed the same fundamental truths and that we were just outworking them in different ways, with different stories. As much as I could appreciate what she was trying to do (and surprised at how many leaders of different religions agreed with her), I was forced to stand my ground and openly disagree.
There was one fundamental truth that no other religion had mentioned. A crucial foundation to what I believe: that humanity cannot save itself – it needs the intervention of God. I have seen this truth completely alter the lives of people who did not believe in Jesus. When the situation becomes dire – when the guilt and struggle of our human condition is insurmountable, people have found Jesus truly applies and changes their lives. Yes, human effort is of some value in Christianity – God cannot do much in or through you without submitting your life to his guidance – but in the end, it is ultimately Jesus’ sacrifice that saves us from ourselves. Without the intervention of God, we are without hope for sustainable victory in our lives.
I have recently been reminded of how desperately I need God – every hour of every day. I have tried to be good without him, and have ‘got away’ with it many times from an onlookers’ perspective. But only I know the condition of my heart. Living with God is the most exhilarating, purposeful reality I have ever come across. It activates every aspect of who you are – healing your deepest wounds, transforming your nature and making you effective and influential to a greater degree.
I don’t know about you, but I have not been able to heal my own emotional issues. Nor could I change how I think by sheer will (as doing so would mean I would have to change how I change how I change). As much as I may try, I can’t permanently change someone else for good either.
Only the power of Jesus Christ can reinstate us completely into the good will of God our Creator. Therefore, if you are tired of trying to be perfect, sick of living with guilt or bored with the realities of life. If you are dissatisfied with the mantras of society – why not see what Jesus can do for you? Your shortfalls are the key to Jesus’ relevance to you and those around you. Click on the link below to find out more.