That's Why I Believe

I woke up in English class one day....

After wiping away the saliva that had seeped out onto my cheek during a tape deck reading of "The Great Gatsby," I remember the teacher pausing the tape and asking a series of questions from chapter seven (I think--I can't remember now).

Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

And I was stumped. I wrote the questions down with no response and thought, "This will be easy to grade!" All would be lost in hopes of maintaining an "A" average in the second week of school.

Little did I know that those questions would either haunt me or drive my every decision for the rest of my life. Opportunities and plans such as school, careers, and relationships all run through the grid of those questions.

Who will you marry? What will you do with your life? When do you want to consider starting a family? Where do you want to live? Why do you want to go to school there? How will you pay the bills?

Places like Wikipedia provide quick answers to questions such as "Who was the 27th president?" (Taft, by the way) Or you can YouTube how to change a spark plug in your lawn mower. Or research your favorite colleges based on location, tuition, or degree programs. Goodness, you can even search for a potential mate through sites like Match, EHarmony, or FarmersOnly.com.

While the facts to many subjects or situations are made available through exploring the internet there seems to one question that can be somewhat difficult for any individual to answer; the question, "WHY?"

When the question "why" arises we must research and provide a simple plan or a strong defense. It's no longer citing facts but developing an argument or opinion that often involves an emotional appeal.

"Why" seldom lets us cakewalk through life.

Questions like, "Who will win the World Series? What's your favorite dessert? Where is the most beautiful place on earth?" become more thought-provoking when we attach the question "Why?" to our response.

Why do so many people see questions about faith differently? Most people's faith is centered around a collection of facts that held with strong belief to provide a defense with an emotional appeal.

Remember the story of Thomas? Jesus had appeared to all of the disciples except him. They tried to convince him that Jesus had risen from the dead but apart from the facts he failed to believe; particularly, the scars found on his hands and his side.

When Jesus appeared to Thomas, He removed all doubt and Thomas' response was, "My Lord and my God!" Then he devoted the rest of his life to making a strong appeal to those whom he met about the risen Christ. Why did he believe? Because of the proven fact of Jesus' resurrection.

Christians aren't defending an issue of intelligence, philosophy, ideology, or doctrine. They have a strong emotional appeal to a personal story of how the facts of Christ's life, death, and resurrection have impacted their life.

Our purpose isn't to argue our way to victory. There will always be someone more intelligent or perhaps more belligerent in their own defense. But we, like Peter and John, must feel so convicted to say, "We cannot deny what we have seen and heard!"

Defending your faith isn't so much convincing others as it is daily convincing yourself of the truth. We must remember that faith is believing today the promises of yesterday. Christ has always proven Himself faithful. Never once has any of His promises failed. That's why I believe!

My Pleasure

What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

For breakfast; Hardee's or Bojangles? With kids; McDonald's or Wendy's? With friends; a Zaxby's platter or Little Caesar's Hot-n-Ready? These decisions are always tough and vary with the shifting circumstances of who, what, when, and where.

My favorite restaurant, without question, is Chic-Fil-A. I don't know if it's the product of such great food, the customer service that goes above and beyond typical fast food chains, or the leadership and character qualities they employ with each member of their team.

But there's one thing I know I can always count on; it's hearing these words ringing from every checkout line, "My pleasure!" Without fail, those words always follow the exchange of my money for their #1 combo with a lemonade.

Have you ever thought about what it would sound like to hear God say, "My pleasure?"

He did.

"It pleased the Lord to crush Him."

Jesus was betrayed by His own disciple, falsely accused by His own countrymen, beaten by Roman guards, and ultimately executed by crucifixion and it pleased the Father to see His son agonizing in pain under the weight of such a devastating event.

"Father if there is any way to pass this cup from me, nevertheless may your will be done." And it pleased the Father.

"Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani?!" [My God, my God why have you forsaken Me?] Yet, it pleased the Father.

How could He be pleased?

Think about the paradox of this event. Jesus had all authority but surrendered himself to the Father's will. His suffering brought pleasure to the Father. He gave up His life for us to have life. His body was broken that we may become beautiful.

He tasted the bitterness of death that we may taste the sweetness of life. Because of this exchange, this transaction, our account has been paid in full with His words, "It is finished!"

How did Jesus muster up the boldness and the breath to speak these words? Very simply; He was obedient, He was willing to surrender, He had faith in His Father.

And what about you? What is required of you to hear God speak "My pleasure" over your life? Obey; God's will be done. Surrender; give your life into His hands. Faith; trust Him with every situation in your life.

The daunting task of crushing His son was the necessary payment to make this great exchange. And on Sunday when Jesus arose from the grave the invitation was given that we may receive life.

How fitting is it that Chic-Fil-A would be closed on Sundays; the day God opened the door to life and provided a seat at the table of His presence?