In our current culture, the idea of a solely subjective existence has become mainstream. We think we create our own meaning of life, our own road to happiness and we make a self-glorifying view of reality.
But when we rely upon our own strength, wit, and wisdom, we trust upon a finite understanding of the world. We ignore our blind spots and fallibility despite every proof that we are not who we subconsciously assert ourselves to be—God.
If we submit to the reality of objective truth outside ourselves, which flows from an omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient being, we relinquish our futile desire to be the centre of the universe. With faith based on evidence, we can come to rely on the only trustworthy and true creator of the universe.
My worldview must be founded on objective reality, but I have also subjectively seen evidence of God's existence time and time again.
Six years ago, I thought myself to be a wonderfully free person. I sought my own happiness above all and was creating a satisfying life of self-gratification. I was genuinely happy as many unbelievers are, but it was in vain.
All joy in my achievements was vanity when I trusted in myself: a finite being. It still is—my desires, my abilities, my interests, in this world will ultimately pass away with my body.
Fortunately for me and all humanity, life does not have to be in vain.
Where do I find hope?
Though we chase a self-worshipping existence, the omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God we like to assert ourselves to be actually exists and can efficaciously act to free us from navel-gazing.
When an immutable God speaks, no mouth can silence him. When an eternal God softens a hardened and self-righteous heart, no human will can overcome him. And when God draws us to worship him as the only true God, angels literally rejoice.
In a world spoiled by disease and death, the narrow path that leads to eternal life can be found, if one looks in the right places. You don't need a map, a college degree, or the pope to reveal it to you.
You are offered freedom freely with no conditions hinged on your good behaviour or perfect understanding. In fact, if you could understand it or behave perfectly, you would earn eternal life through your own merit. But we are fallible, imperfect, weak, and so never can. I hope that, like me, you recognize this too.
The Bible culminates with the declaration that God stepped in as an infallible, perfect, mighty mediator for us. The pinnacle of God's redemption of self-idolising people is this—the Gospel.
The Gospel
God created all galaxies and chemistries, yet humbled himself by putting on human flesh and dwelling among us. When Jesus had lived a perfect life of obedience to God's commanded law, he joyfully and sorrowfully died a horrendous death as a blood sacrifice to atone for the unrighteousness of his people.
He did this willingly so that, though stubborn and selfish children, we may turn to worship him as the real centre of the universe and therefore find meaningful joy that does not disappear as we breathe our last.
Believe and show your true colours
When we understand that we are unendurably weak but that God is able to be our every strength, we learn to lean upon him and humbly witness his perfect provision. As we grow in knowledge (and therefore faith), we are emboldened to show our colours as his children.
The person who embodies this proclamation, I was not fortunate enough to meet in this life. An African pastor in the early 1900s, martyred in Zimbabwe for his faith, put it best. I finish with his written testimony found following his death, and pray we all grow in knowledge and faith so that we may show our colours alongside this man in heaven.
"I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognised, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labour by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognising me. My colours will be clear!"
—Author unknown.
Harriet Knox lives in windy Wellington, New Zealand. She works for the Government, loves animals, and cannot function well without a gym membership. She became a Christian at University and attends Gracenet Community Church.
Harriet Knox's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/harriet-knox.html