By Jean Senior

I have a close friend who is an atheist. Anarchy, in its truest form, is what he says he believes in. He has a brilliant intellect and eloquently described this belief to me in a conversation. I could hear the hope and enthusiasm in his voice.

At the end of his description, he said he was frustrated – because although he still held to his belief, he knew that in reality it could not be applied to the human race. His frustration at the condition of the human race was evident. He is a very moral person, and holds himself to high standards. Yet his intelligence makes him aware of moral flaws to a greater degree than most people I know. As a result, he suffers.

I admire his attempts to do good and live a moral life in the precise way he does. He is aware that I am a believer in Jesus. Toward the end, our conversation turned to the existence of God.

He looked me in the eye and said “Do you really think there is something there?”

I looked him in the eye and said, “Yes, I do.”

My love, my concern and my admiration of his good nature are evident in our friendship. On the strength of that foundation is the space to share faith.

This is one example of my experience of listening to my friends who are struggling in their beliefs while I trust in God and rest in faith. I believe if I am resting in faith and coming from a genuine place of love, that faith will be evident without me saying anything. It is written in my eyes and soul.

Listening to people’s struggle and loving them in the midst of it is all God asks me to do. Things move along in God's timing and not in a forced contrived manner which would be of my own making.

Continue article >>

I have another friend who has been a great influence in getting me back to the gym. She is an agnostic. She is actively seeking out different religions but hasn’t found what she is looking for. She has a philosophical and inquisitive nature. She reminds me of the philosophers that Paul ran into in Athens that had set up an idol to the “unknown God.” That was his starting point when he shared his faith with them.

Because her interest was active, I thought, “Why not cut to the chase?” I suggested she get a blank journal, put a date on the page, pose a direct question straight from her heart to the “unknown God” and see what happens.

She looked me straight in the eye and said, “But, Jean, what if he answers?”

“Indeed,” I thought, “what if he does?” She would be taking a huge risk – and a life-changing one.

The conversation then shifted to: Could she trust God?

I shared my experience of an all powerful and trustworthy God who would not steer us wrong or hurt us.

I believe faith must be presented without an emotional neediness on my part to have another person believe exactly what I believe. If I really believe God is in control of everything, then I can relax and trust that listening while loving and caring for another human being is enough. The God that I trust is chief architect, creative genius and supreme ruler, full of joy, with an awesome sense of humour. Joy and enthusiasm cross all barriers and are very attractive qualities to all human beings.

We left J.J. Bean’s on Main Street with hugs. She said she was grateful to be able to share her heart's fears openly and honestly.

My friend called me yesterday, and our coffee talks will continue today at J.J. Bean's. I am curious to see how God is working in her heart, and trust that whatever part I am to play in her life will be led by the Holy Spirit.

Jean Senior attends both Fairview Baptist Church and Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

January 2011