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36 CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX “To will one thing”: Section 1

The heart of faith

When I think about what I most wish for each of my kids (and everyone else), there is only one most important thing: that over time they grow in their relationship with God. I believe that is the purpose of their lives and with that, I know they will also be able to handle everything else that happens in life. As the Bible says, “Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all shall be added.” Or, as C.S. Lewis puts it, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” It’s so easy to focus on success in school or work or other things, but only one thing really matters. In the chapter on Mission and Purpose I talk about developing a personal mission, and this one seems like a good one to me.

But coming to, and remaining firm in development of that relationship is a lifelong struggle—even after coming to faith, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” The song, “In the Light” by Charlie Peacock and DC Talk is about that struggle.

This chapter pulls together things I’ve heard or read, and reflections on my own journey in Christian faith and owes much to people I’ve learned from, sermons I’ve heard, books I’ve read, and countless other sources. There are so many complicated, seemingly contradictory, and even hard to believe writings and ideas, both in, and about the Bible, that it is easy to understand how people dismiss or lose faith.

And yet, through it all, I (and many others!) have a strong belief that there is more to life than what we see: there are everyday miracles, the awe-inspiring beauty of our world, and, despite all of our failings, the pervasiveness and power of love. It seems to me that Christianity doesn’t overlook or soft-pedal the complications and challenges of the world, but acknowledges and offers an explanation for them—and a way through them. As incredible as it can seem, I see things every day that affirm my belief that its message is true, even though its adherents often don’t represent it well—sadly, it’s easy to understand why Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Despite the fact that faith is the most important thing I wish for my kids or anyone, I think we all have a strong tendency to not discuss the most important things in life. We need to strive to do that, particularly with those close to us, while at the same time giving them space to figure out and decide things on their own. That is a hard line to walk—”force-feeding” ideas rarely results in them being authentically adopted. I feel like I personally err too much on the side of caution. This book, and particularly this chapter, are part of my attempt to share ideas I think are important in a way that is available but gives that space.

Unlike other chapters, this one reads like journal notes in places—hopefully understandably organized, but more like a collection of thoughts than one coherent essay. Like a journal, it may be best read a little at a time, since it sometimes moves from one idea to another abruptly. It’s also much longer than any of the others..

One last thing before diving in: I think songs are powerful ways to help us understand, remember, and focus on ideas. With that in mind I have named songs related to messages throughout this chapter. I encourage you to (stop and) listen to them so you feel the power of them in the context they are mentioned. I have a playlist including those listed in the section on “The importance of prayer” and others, which keeps me thinking about their words constantly. I hope and believe you will find them encouraging, clarifying, and inspiring.


Sections in this chapter:

  • The heart of faith
  • The core message and goal for your life
  • Seeking to trust God and become more like Jesus
  • Knowing your role—and God’s
  • Fruit of the Spirit
  • Managing our priorities
  • And our praise
  • Identity, the creeds, and unity
  • The struggle of finding and holding faith
  • Ultimate truth
  • Faith must be our own
  • Levels and types of faith
  • Faith vs. knowledge
  • Faith and the Law and Works
  • Free Will and The Fall
  • Seeking to understand the Bible and life through discernment
  • The challenge of discernment
  • Handling different discernments
  • "Our own words"
  • Exploring challenging passages and ideas
  • The importance of prayer
  • Personal reflections
  • The importance of living the life
  • It’s not too late

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