Recently I’ve been enjoying stand-up comedy. I found myself reminiscing about the first time I heard the voice of God in my life after watching Ricky Gervais Netflix special Supernature.
‘Why?’ you may be wondering. ‘Doesn’t Ricky Gervais mock people who believe in God?’
Yes.
Yes he does.
When hearing someone like Ricky Gervais (who I find hilarious) start debunking Christianity and calling God our imaginary friend, it can sound pretty convincing. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone could be completely converted to atheism by listening to these ideas and comebacks. Which takes me back to my reminiscing…
We Should All Question Our Beliefs
After growing up in the church and giving my life to God at 8 years old, I began to question my beliefs.
I was drawn to the philosophy of Buddhism and started to learn about other faiths and religions. I don’t think I could have denied Jesus or the existence of a greater being, but I was certainly doubtful of Christianity after I began exposing myself to the thoughts of well-known atheists and scientists.
One day I was watching a debate between John Lennox (Christian) and Richard Dawkins (atheist) who even wrote a book called ‘The God Delusion’.
As I was listening to their debate, I found Richard’s arguments against Christianity compelling – could I or anyone I know as a Christian reply to the things he is saying?
And I thought to myself, ‘Man! Anyone who calls themselves a Christian needs to know what they believe and why they believe it, because this is embarrassing’.
God is not a Belief, but a Being who Speaks
After my alarm at needing to know good apologetics, came the next thought: ‘Colossians 2:4’.
Strange, I know.
Even though I had never read that book in the bible, I knew that it was a bible verse that I needed to read right now! Compelled to find this mystery, verse I looked up Colossians 2:4.
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
‘I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:4 – 8
You know those moments, marked in your memory forever? This is one for me. I know that I know that I know. God spoke that day to me through the Bible.
Doubt – obliterated!
Faith in Jesus – renewed!
Remember Moments with God, Cement them in Your Heart and Mind
Whenever I question my faith or wonder ‘God, where are you in all of this?’ I go back to these moments. It clears that foggy doubt in your mind and brings you back to Jesus.
This is why hearing people’s stories is a powerful spiritual discipline in a believer’s life. It’s the biggest faith booster because faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), and to those of us who may occasionally debate a friend like Ricky or Richard, I would propose to mention that the fact there are millions of stories like these in Christians’ lives today, is one of the biggest pieces of evidence that maybe God isn’t just an imaginary friend after all.
