What you are about to read is an outline, I'm sorry I didn't transcribe this one, of the message that I delivered at the student-led worship service at Grand View University that I was allowed to lead. For those who are worried that it will be full of bible verses and such, I assure you that this is not the case, in fact I believe there is only one verse from the bible in the whole thing. I opted to use what I was passionate about, and still am, which is music. So, you will find lyrics of songs in place of scripture. If you want to know what any of the songs are just ask, and I will do my best to rely the message.... It's a coming to faith story, again not a transcript, so feel free to ask questions and I'll do my best to elaborate. Please enjoy!
I. Introduction
There was a time when I could believe the future was bright and unjaded. Now things have changed an I'm not the same; everything clear slowly fading. There comes a time in everybody's life when things aren't what they used to be, and it effects the everyday understanding of things—everything clear slowly fading. This not only effects how we deal with people, but also how we understand God. At one time we could conceptualize infinity with no problem, but as we grow older and, supposedly, wiser we begin to let the rationale of the world corrupt how we view God and all things divine. As a result, we have created for ourselves a number of stages in life that have the potential to drive us away from God: child, smarty-pants, rational beanpole, and an enlightened elder. Each of these stages, like stated previously, has the potential to knock us down in our faith, but there is also much to be taken away from these stages that could possible help enhance our faith.
II. Downfall of Faith
Child (faith like a child)
"Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all." 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands upon them. (Mark 10:13-16)
Conceptualization of eternity
Imaginary friends
Super heroes (career)
great imagination
Shift from active imagination to beginning to become grounded when they get to school.
Smarty-Pants (intelligent beings)
Once we begin to learn things of the natural world (blame it on Aristotle and the Greeks if you must) we begin to lose touch with the metaphysical.
Math, Science: hinder conceptualization of infinity
Language provides a means to articulate ideas more efficiently
Sunday school
Become a product of the environment
You monkey see: monkey do. You're always doing what they tell you to. You're such a puppet on a string.
Rational beanpole (logic/rationale)
God becomes an irrational concept... evolution, logical processes.
One begins to struggle with the idea that there is an uber-being that has created everything
Depending on what sorts of strings are controlling your life, one might be still believe in God, but may have a limited perspective on what's really going on.
I won't bow down to something that I've never seen. I can't believe in something that doesn't believe in me! I'm not blood of your blood; I'm no son of your god; I've no faith in your fate... still I find salvation.
Enlightened elder (seen/done it all)
Once you get to a certain age/rationale level, you can become jaded towards the happening of the world.
No longer see things in the same light
God forbid, you should have to see things my way.
God forbid, you should feel the same.
God forbid, you should never walk in my shoes.
God forbid, you should never know my name.
You will never know, you could never know the pain.
III. Rebuilding Cycle (My Story)
Even though we have either all been through these stages, or are currently going through them, that does not mean that we can't be faithful people—experience all that God has planned for our lives.
Struggles with faith and understanding of the divine is documented all throughout the bible
Jonah, Job, Paul, Solomon (before his demise), Thomas, Peter, Moses/Aaron, Isaiah, Jacob/Esau, Jesus, Noah, David.
You're not alone!
There came a time in my life when I couldn't any more, I was at rock bottom and I looked up and there was hope. There was something to long after... I attribute that to God, others might not.
God I'm on my knees, suffering. Is this all I am? Please, heal my pain; lift me up and hold me close to your heart!
If you are pushed to not believing in God, you shouldn't shut yourself off to the world around you.
Miracles, experiences, unexplainable phenomena (signs?)
Again, some say “yes,” others “no.”
IV. Conclusion As I stand before you, I can't help but continue to wonder why I feel the way I do. I believe in God, but I'm not to the point where I can say, “This is why?” I have fallen prey to the parts of life that discourage such non-concrete thoughts. I am beginning to see that there is much more going on than what I could have ever imagined. However, it isn't until you let go of what's supposed to happen—the logical progression of things—and begin to life for something more that you can truly experience the divine (defined as you will). One last lyric for you, kind of sums up where I intended to go with this: Fill us with passion and burning desire! Are you tired of running? I'm so tired of running! Brothers and sisters, we've got to stand together; this hope is all that keeps us strong. Let's pray!
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