Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
The question was raised to me this week.
“Pastor, what if it is not true? What if it is not true: the Jesus story, the God story, heaven and hell. What if it is not true? What if THIS is all there is?”
I love questions like this. Real human questions. Questions of faith and doubt. We may be afraid to speak words like these out loud, but we are better off if we do. In the Biblical story faith and doubt regularly appear together. No matter how “strong” our belief might be, there are still moments of profound doubt for all of us. Mother Teresa’s diary told the story of a saint who walked daily with the twins: faith and doubt.
“Pastor, what if it is not true?”
I have considerable doubt in my life. I don’t really doubt God, but I certainly doubt my ability to comprehend God. I doubt my capacity to grasp the mystery and majesty of God. The list of uncertainties is much longer than the litany of certainties. I am quite sure that there are many things that I have wrong.
“Pastor, what if it is not true?”
I am not even sure what “true” means. If Jesus did not walk the earth, if he did not live and die for us, if he was not raised from the dead, then it is not true, right? Then the details that I have held as true for all my life are not accurate, but that does not mean that they are not “true.”
What is “true” must be the “truth” by definition. The Bible clearly tells us that “truth” only has one source and that is God. Perhaps the truth comes to us, even in the midst of stories that are not historically accurate. Perhaps the “whole truth” will always be beyond my comprehension. But that does not mean that all “truth” is beyond comprehension. Was Jonah really swallowed by a whale? Did Balaam’s ass really talk to him?
“You are dodging the question, Pastor. What if it is not true?”
Let’s look at the question another way: If there is no heaven or hell, then how would I want to live my life on earth? If there is no heaven or hell, then it is all about today, my life right now. The only consideration is what is best for me. In that case I should look out for number one.
So, let me be very selfish in asking, how am I going to find the most joy, peace, meaning and purpose during the 80 or so years that I have here? The answer of course, is the truth. Where can I find abundant life? I have seen enough unhappy rich people to know that abundant life is not found in abundant possessions but in healthy abundant relationships. We find meaning, purpose and consequently abundant life by getting outside of ourselves and serving others.
The email exchange ended in this way. “Pastor, what if death is the end?”
I responded,
“This one does not worry me. If I am right, then the adventure continues, a new beginning, safe in God’s hands. If I am wrong, then still I will return to whatever gave me the gift of life in the first place. I will return to dust and rubble and that is OK. And if I am wrong, then at least I had the opportunity to live a hopeful and optimistic life, perhaps helping others to live without quite so much fear; fear of God, fear of life, fear of death.
Either way, it is in the creators’ hands, not mine. I cannot change reality one bit by believing or doubting. But believing can change my reality now. That is enough for me.”
See you in church tomorrow. I promise you it will be a good use of your time.
I am one beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread. I am your,
Pastor Jim
