I was vividly reminded of this fact last night in a small group discussion with 11 of my guys. Together (loosely defined), we read the story of Thomas, whom doubted Jesus rose from the dead and was in front of him. Not until Thomas touched the wounds of his side, did he believe. I acknowledged that we all have some level of doubt. My question for them was simple and related:
"What gets in the way of you believing in God?"
The answers were as follows:
"I don't believe in God. I think it's all bullshit."
"I can't see how God would allow poor people to suffer. They probably try to follow him too."
"I am a Muslim. Allah spoke to Jesus, but my sheik told me they are always adding stories to the Bible."
"I just don't believe the things that the Bible says, that thousands of people were fed from 3 fishes, that Jesus walked on water."
"I just think that everyone is bad when they are young and that they follow God when they get older."
"I think God scares people into believing in him. People only come to God once everything is bad in their life. You never see it the other way around."
"I just can't believe in something you cannot see."
"I don't believe in anything."
There wasn't a single dude that said, "I'm in. This is for real." Not even close.
My guys keep coming. My guys hear about a God that loves them radically, unconditionally. I am sure that they are intrigued. Now God has to do his thing.
I am excited to see how this story unfolds. We are hanging with the right crew. They are the ones God longs to show up for, to express his acceptance of. But the chapters are going to play out over years, not weeks or days. I'm just happy that I get to be near the action.
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