Reflection: Extraordinarily, given I was writing this devotional series, I heard today from a friend who has recommitted his life to Christ after walking without him for two-and-a-half years. News like this doesn’t get any better. And the timing of it leaves me wondering whether God is whispering something to me about crises of faith.
An obvious point to start is that a crisis of faith is an event in time that doesn’t have to define you for all of time. In my friend’s case, it took two-and-a-half years. It was a long time, but it wasn’t a lifetime. Secondly, although he retreated to some extent from Christian events such as church going, he didn’t entirely, largely for the sake of his wife. Because of this, he stayed within reach of the gospel and within reach of Christians. Thirdly, he didn’t stop in his search for truth and rational integrity. He put his atheism under the same sort of scrutiny as his early Christian faith and found it wanting.
As a result of this, my friend has emerged with a stronger, more robust and intellectually defensible faith – as will you in similar circumstances.
Prayer: My Lord Jesus, Thank you that you are a God of new beginnings. You bring resurrection from death and hope from despair. Without reserve, I give you my life and my love.