I was asked the other day by a close family member if I have ever had doubts about my faith, church, calling, religion, etc.
My answer was very simple! Of course I do! I have doubts every single day!
Its my deepest conviction that if you are striving to be a disciple for Christ that you asked questions. I believe when these questions are asked, doubts will arise. I strongly believe that every Christian should doubt! I mean we believe in a "Spirit" that no one has seen that was sent by a guy who rose from the dead to meet his heavenly "father" in "heaven." Oh and by the way we have never seen him, AND we read a book with writing on some pages written by some interesting people, and they tell us to believe. WOW, how could you not have doubts?
I remember a conversation I had with a pastor a few years back in the beginning years of my ministry. We were sitting in a Starbucks just talking, and I made the comment, "well everyone can't 100% totally believe in their denomination or church and what it is saying and doing!" He strongly disagreed and assured me that he did just that. This hit me wrong.
I couldn't help but recall a "talk" I once gave stressing that we don't put Christ on the back-burner in our lives. I cant help but see a correlation in lack of doubts and stagnation in your faith, just going along with the motions. "Do you believe it because you figured it out for yourself, or do you believe it because thats what the pastor said?" This is a defining question in my walk with Christ, and I believe it should be a pretty important question in every faithful persons life. If we don't learn to question, doubt, discern, and answer some of the questions of faith for ourselves, then we will fall into the category of the stagnant Christians.
Will you keep going to church because you have always done it, continue to believe everything the pastor says, read the words on the pages because the bulletin says so, pray the prayers on the screen, and believe not because you discerned for yourself, but because its the way we have always done it? Or will you question, doubt, and figure some things out for yourself and become a better Christian?
Now, I should have to warn you...you won't find all the answers to some of the questions. This is where my always faithful campus minister's words fall into place, "be complacent just to live in the grey." Sometimes we wont find the answers. Then the question becomes, can you live in the grey without a definite answer?
This has been on my mind a lot lately, just wondering if anyone else struggles with this as well?
About Me
- Austin Rinehart
- Whether you are reading this for the first time or you're a frequent visitor I just want to say thank you! I am humbled that you would take the time to read what it is I have to say, however significant or insignificant that might be! Shalom, friends!
Hey Austin!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first blog of yours to read, and I have to say I understand completely where you're coming from. It is ok to doubt. God tells us to test the spirits. We wouldn't be responsible servants of the Trinity if we didn't.
Speaking on denominations...God doesn't care what denomination we are. As long as we accept His Son as our Savior, and I know you already know this. Not one denomination is THE denomination. And it would also hit me wrong if a pastor told me 100% also...God is always pushing us out of our comfort zones. No denomination has ALL the answers...only God! Even Jesus doesn't know when he'll return...His Father will let Him know when the time comes. This helped me to know 3 distinct persons as one entity!
Denominations exist only because we humans had to put ourselves in a place we could feel comfortable growing in God's grace. What soil do we thrive most in? This soil will even change as our spiritual growth becomes more mature. This is why it is so important for denominations to keep an open mind and open heart to where God is leading its members. God wants growth...not complacency. He wants us to follow Him and what He wants us to do! For example, if He wants us to speak in tongues, He gives us the gift...he doesn't care what the denomination thinks about it or if it's comfortable. He doesn't live within us for us to further that one denomination. He lives within us for us to only make ready His Beloved Bride so when the Bridegroom comes, His Bride will not be found wanting. God uses each and everyone of us in His uniquiqe way according to His set of principles, not any human kind's...always be open to what God is whispering to you in His still, small voice. When we listen and have the faith to act and to STAND, it gets easier to recognize His voice. The more we are secure in His will and His leading, doubt in Him and in ourselves(as long as we stay centered on Him) start to evaporate; however, the doubt in our human teachings and understandings in which we were reared lends to even more questions because we are to continue to GROW!
In His Grip Only,
Ms Amanda
Thanks Amanda! Sounds like you should blog a bit yourself! You are so correct! So might I ask which Amanda this is? I tried clicking on your name, but no results! Just curious :)
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