Asking questions

We all have questions. Questions that plague our minds about faith, life and everything in between.

Personally, I have always been someone who seeks answers. I like to know the ‘why’ behind things I stand for. I try to gain as much of an understanding as I possibly can. This gives me true confidence that I truly believe in what I claim to believe – and not just because I have been told to believe. 

From as young as I can remember, I have had a strong conviction about God (mainly influenced by my upbringing). Deep down, He has always been real to me. But being human, I always wondered why certain things are the way they are and have had questions about things in the Bible that I hadn’t fully grasped.

I think of my 16 year old self, who deep down believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ but didn’t have enough of a revelation on it to properly explain why to someone else. I remember a conversation I had with some people I met at an event. In the course of our conversation, faith came up and they shared different beliefs from mine. They were much older and way more informed than I was and started asking me questions and raising some points that I was completely clueless about. It was a respectful chat but I honestly felt quite discouraged after it because I felt l could not even justify what I truly believed in. 

Along my journey with Christ, I can truly say that I have gained a greater understanding of certain issues I have wondered about in the past. I have learnt that God is not put off by my questions, rather He welcomes them. Every day is honestly a learning adventure with God. There are things the Holy Spirit is constantly teaching & revealing to me. I have also accepted that there are some questions I will never get answers to on this side of eternity. Regardless, I am discovering so much each day and the more I get to know God, the more He settles my heart, soul & mind.

As I have sought to grow in my faith, I have realised that beyond the genuine experience I have had with Jesus through my understanding of the gospel, there is actually compelling historical evidence that backs faith. Evidence of the life, death & resurrection of Jesus Christ that can be offered in defence of the faith. But above all that, I believe God Himself does the final work of consolidating all the evidential stuff by revealing Himself to one through His inspired Word – the Bible

With God, once you humble yourself & open up your heart, there is a lot to discover. 

Thinking back to that conversation I had when I was 16, I would have had a lot more to say if I had it today which makes me thankful to God for my growth. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have” which signals the fact that true understanding of the faith is key.

All this doesn’t mean that I have it all together. I am still growing in my faith daily. But since I know my ‘why’ and what my foundation is built on (the person of Christ), nothing can sway me. I believe that in seeking truth, I must seek Jesus because He is The Truth. (John 14:6). 

Jeremiah 29:13- “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”.

These are a few recommendations of resources I have used that have helped me to understand my faith better (besides the Bible)

Book:

• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

YouTube:

• Apologetics with Preston Perry

Alpha Course by Nicky Gumbel