Five Undeniable Truths

I believe in five ideas that I simply cannot deny and that anchor my life.

1.I am limited. For example, I lack knowledge, control, and security. I eventually will die. I strive to achieve a sense of approval and significance, but always seem to long for more. I am plagued by doubts about the future.

2.My knowledge is limited, but based on what I know, the Biblical narrative, culminating in the story of Jesus, is far and away the most beautiful story I’ve ever heard. I am captivated by the idea that an interdependent God possessed so much love within Itself that It wanted to share with beings made in Its’ likeness. When creation became messed up, the story continues that this God loved us so much that It sent Jesus to enter the mess to rescue us, with great sacrifice to Himself. Even if this wasn’t factually true, I sense that this narrative makes sense of, and addresses, my personal limitations more than any other possible story.

3.There is good evidence that the Christian story is factually true. It doesn’t make sense to me that something could come from nothing, life could come from non-life, or consciousness could come from non-consciousness, unless Something guided the process along that possessed the potential to create these characteristics. It doesn’t make sense to me that I possess inexhaustible needs for security, significance, and hope, unless Something is available to meet these needs. It doesn’t make sense to me that Jesus could have said what he is recorded as saying, do what he is recorded as doing, and initially attract such a following unless He was, and is, Divine. Because of all of this, I seek to accept what is good in my life as gifts and to experience God’s grace, truth, and peace every day of my life.

4.People are different than I am. Others perceive matters differently than I do. They think differently. They choose differently. Others even may disagree with ideas that I find undeniable and find ideas undeniable that I don’t.

5.People are similar to me. Others seem to experience limitations similar to what I experience. If I experienced the same biological predispositions and environmental circumstances as another, I very likely might think, feel, and act like they do. These similarities help to connect us. They cause me to empathize with people and give them the benefit of the doubt. They encourage me to listen to others’ stories and share my own. Finally, they suggest that I treat people as I would want to be treated, no matter what the circumstance and no matter what the differences.