The Most Important Question

So many of the questions of our experience come back around to this one essential questions of life: What do you believe about God? The way we handle things, the way we respond to disaster, the way we love, the people we love, the way we stress out or don't stress out, what we hope for or don't hope for, whether we fall into cynicism or become overwhelmed with joy... in all of these things and more are reflections of what we believe about God. This means that it is of primary importance for us to take the time to intentionally ask this question of ourselves whenever we make a move. Who is God? What do I really believe about this God?

Do you believe in a God who loves all people? Then why do you discriminate against people who are different than you (even if they're "illegal")?

Do you believe in a God who has defeated death? Then why is so much of your life consumed in fear and despair?

Do you believe in a God who loves you personally and who actually loves your words and any amount of time that you will give to God in authenticity and honesty? Then why do you waste so much time with empty words and obligatory ritual?

Do you believe that God forgives sin? Then why do you withhold forgiveness from others?

Do you believe in a God who wants to save this world, the God who will never give up until it is completely made new? Then why do you so easily give up on hope?

Do you believe in a God who not only desires restoration but is also big enough to bring it into reality? Then why do you put your trust in anything else?

Do you believe in a God who died on the cross for God's enemies? Then why do you violently seek to "kill" your enemies?

What you believe about God is the central question in Christian ethics. The answer to this question will paint your imagination and will guide the way you live, the way you pray, and the way you dream. The scriptures ask us to accept in our hearts the God revealed in Jesus Christ, to believe in the God who turns the world's logic upside down. When we accept the world's gods we end up in pain, frustrated, fearful, and all sorts of other bad things. This God, the God of the Bible, leads us beside still waters, offers us joy in the midst of chaos, and creates within us a new heart and a new hope. But in order to follow this God we have to take the risk of abandoning the false version of ourselves in order to embrace our true selves. In order to follow this God we have to abandon our will to dominate and our twisted logic which makes so much sense to us. When everything inside us shouts, "get revenge!" this God reminds us that justice belongs to God and that reconciliation rather than vengeance is the path to peace. When everything inside us shouts, "you're just not good enough!" this God reminds us that we are God's and that we are created in God's image. This God invites every response to our experience in our hearts and in our actions to reflect God's image, the image of love, peace, restoration, compassion, and hope.

Ask yourself; what is God like? and seek first the Kingdom of God. Don't live in fear any longer but hope in the God who rescues us from evil.