The journey to faith is often erratic and untidy. We need first to listen to our own stories – of how we got to be where we are, asking: ‘Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?’ God’s story matters too, but often the way to encounter it comes through seeing God at work somewhere in our own story.
One Man’s Story
Here’s one man with a story in the early days of the Church:
From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.
The Apostle John writing in his first letter (1 John !)
John and the first disciples saw Jesus in person. Since then millions have come to know Jesus through faith. When Jesus enters our story, by whatever way, a wonderful life-long friendship begins:
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:8
Here’s my story:
It had been an eye-opening experience to meet up with enthusiastic young Christians at the University during the previous academic year. To be among so many young people who had an obvious deep love for Jesus was a refreshing new discovery. I had grown up in my local parish church, was confirmed and regular at Holy Communion, but what I discovered in the fellow Christians at University was something attractively different. It was like living again in the days of the New Testament church.
I sometimes read about Christians in past ages who seem to have known Christ more closely than I do. It challenges me of my need to catch something of their ‘fire’ so that my own dying embers of love for Christ may be re-kindled.
At the the call of Jesus, the first disciples left their nets and followed him. I too have done this and sought to follow him. In the following pages I hope to share most helps me in my Christian journey of faith.
‘Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure’ – Pope John Paul I
Return to The Wellspring
A Listening Heart 