There is a question that has echoed through the halls of eternity from time immemorial. It is a question that echoes in the hearts of every man, woman, and child. As humans, we become aware of it at certain points in our lives. The initial realization of it can cause an instant internal change, and trigger an immediate response. Or it initiates a journey that takes us deeper into ourselves and we are forced to confront what we believe and why we believe it.
Over time, life happens and the things that we have held as heart knowledge convert back to being head knowledge. At this point, we hear the question again, but this time it is softer. But like a loud forceful whisper, it reverberates and cuts to the depths of our soul. This question can bring the strongest of men to their knees. Yet over the centuries it has caused men of wisdom, and women of knowledge to search through the writings of old in an attempt to give an answer. I recently watched the movie “God’s not dead 2,” and this question was the over-arching theme of the movie. It affected me in such a way that I heard this question ring out over all the voices that are trying to get my attention at this point in my life.
I have been a believer in Christ for many years. Sometimes I have followed “all in,” and at other times I have strayed farther away from what it means to be a follower of Christ. I never doubted my faith in God. I have questioned it many times, but just because you question your faith does not mean you lost it. I believe that through questioning and making our faith in God our own it becomes more organic. It grows as a result of our struggles and wrestling with it.
Who do you say that I am? This is the question that every human must answer whether in life or a forced realization of the answer after they die. It cuts to the heart of more than just identity it speaks about ownership. As a believer in Christ, I have testified, professed and spoken about Christ as King, Lord, and Ruler of my life. These terms are contrary to the Western world and we interpret them in a different context than those in the ancient world.
Being in seminary has been an eye-opening experience because as I learn more about the bible the more I realize how little I actually know. How much you perceive to know is different from how much you do. Regardless of how many hours or years you study it you will never know everything about it, but I digress. I am learning to see God from a different perspective other than just the lens of the church. Back to answering the question.
My answer to the question is a simple one. Jesus, You are the Christ the Son of the Living God. I can have no other answer than that one. I have seen and experienced too much to answer any other way. I know I am beloved by the King, and the more I learn about Him the more I fall in love with Him anew. My prayer is that everything that was once heart knowledge, but through life has become head knowledge goes back to being heart knowledge again. I pray that I burn with a passion that is viral so that everyone I come into contact with or interact with knows it.
I leave you with the following prayer.
“Abba! I know, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I confess my shortcomings and my sins. I believe that you sent your only Son to die for my sins, and to stand in my place. I believe that you raised Him from the dead and that He sits at Your right hand since His work is done. I believe that He is coming again to rule and to reign in the coming future. Jesus, I believe that you are the Christ the Son of the Living God. I ask you to be Lord of my life. I thank you for Your sacrifice on the cross. Holy Spirit I ask that you guide me in wisdom and open my eyes as I read Your word. Help me to burn with a passion for You. Help me to be a light in the world that repels darkness. Help me to see the world and humanity as You see them. Help me to love without condition, to serve without expectation, and to walk in Your light. Let your grace cover my missteps, Your Light guide my steps, and Your love flows out of me like a river.
In Jesus name, I pray. Amen