The inconvenience of God

I came across a page of my ramblings earlier. Decided I'd upload and throw them out there...

The inconvenience of God.

Recent conversation with two friends of mine led one to ask me: “So, how would you go about persuading me that your religion is true Jo?”

Good question.
Before I could answer we were interrupted, both moment and question passed. But it has been niggling away at me ever since. Now 6 weeks later I think I have some sort of an answer for my friend. I hope I will make the time to say the following to him.

How would I go about persuading you of the truth of what I believe? To answer I need to ask you something:

Are you broken?

Are you lonely?

Are you lost in life?

Are you poor?

Are you desperate?

Are you weak?

Are you in need?

No? Well in that case I would not begin to try persuading you of the truth of Jesus Christ. That truth is what we call the gospel – good news. It is good news only to those who answer YES to any of the above.

The gospel is good news to the poor. It is life to the broken and this gospel is hope for the desperate and dying. Jesus put it like this: I have come to save sinners. I haven’t come for the righteous – why – they have no need of me. Like a doctor, I have come to heal the sick, not those who appear to be in fine health.

If you don’t need it, the Truth of the message of God to the world is not for you. Stop asking – I won’t play your games any more. I will not join in your games of one-up-manship, cynical debate and sneering superiority. Stop wasting my time and yours – there are people across the planet that answer YES to any or all of the above and this precious treasure belongs to them.

To you the matter of God is an added optional pursuit. Is there time in my life for it? No. Can I make time for it? Not really. I already have numerous interests, hobbies or past times - why would (and how could) I make time for more? It is not convenient. God is not convenient for me right now. I don’t have time for salvation, I don’t need saving.