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Spiritual, Not Just Physical
“Chad, this is all so foreign to me. I don’t understand how and why you make the time to go to church, to read about faith and listen to sermon podcasts? God, if there even is such a ‘person’, designed me to be physical: to ski, play golf and tennis, to hike and cycle. I love to be active and I struggle contemplating these heavy questions about life. I need evidence-based facts to prove that all this stuff is even real and worth investing my time into!”
Rose Mary and I first met Lee and Sharon at university (UBC) and we developed a close friendship several years later. I believe our friendship has intimately blossomed because of the spiritual bond we’ve developed. Rose Mary and I became Christ followers 18 months after our wedding in 1987. Sharon started her relationship with God in 1998, shortly after the unfortunate death of Lee’s aunt, which caused Sharon to ask questions about life, death and faith. Lee however, had no interest in spiritual things as everything is pretty much ‘physical’ for my good friend.
Sharon started attending our church several years ago and whenever we did things together, our faith talks would naturally come up as it is such an important part of who Sharon, Rose Mary and I are. This would often make Lee feel somewhat like an outsider, but he was always respectful and allowed us to converse. Eventually, Lee started coming to church with Sharon as he knew it was very important to her and he was impressed with the many positive changes he witnessed in her life.
On several Whistler ski trips I would share my heart and faith stories with Lee. On a chairlift one day, Lee commented: “Chad, I’m starting to understand that Sharon’s and your faith is much more important than just a hobby. I really like the friends I’ve made at your church and I generally learn something worthwhile from the pastor’s sermon most weeks. But honestly, I just can’t understand all this faith stuff and I don’t know if I can ever see myself truly ‘believing’. Why couldn’t God just lay everything out in simple terms so I can easily understand? And why doesn’t he give me a natural desire to want to have a relationship with him? This faith thing is so difficult and frustrating!”
On several Whistler ski trips I would share my heart and faith stories with Lee. On a chairlift one day, Lee commented: “Chad, I’m starting to understand that Sharon’s and your faith is much more important than just a hobby. I really like the friends I’ve made at your church and I generally learn something worthwhile from the pastor’s sermon most weeks. But honestly, I just can’t understand all this faith stuff and I don’t know if I can ever see myself truly ‘believing’. Why couldn’t God just lay everything out in simple terms so I can easily understand? And why doesn’t he give me a natural desire to want to have a relationship with him? This faith thing is so difficult and frustrating!”
Lee had some very valid questions and comments, but I asked him to relate his faith struggles with other areas of his life. “Lee, when you first got married did every area of your relationship go smoothly or did you have to work at it? How about your children? Did you question the sacrifice required to become a parent? Were you given an ‘ABC and 123’ manual of how to be a great spouse and parent that you could implement to perfection immediately? Of course not. In faith, you chose to marry Sharon despite knowing a high percentage of people get divorced. In faith, you chose to try for children without knowing if you would even get pregnant and whether your children would be healthy or not. Upon reflection, you know how much more value you’ve received compared to the personal sacrifice you’ve made by marrying Sharon and raising your three children. I truly believe you will find the same value, if not more, when you invest into your spiritual life. But I can’t prove it to you. That’s why it’s called Faith. You have to trust that Sharon’s personal spiritual experience, and mine, will also come true for you.”
As couples we have had several great conversations about our physical and spiritual lives. We talk about how frustrating aging is. As much as we fight the aging process, we are physically decaying a little each day. We especially see this in our parents, as unfortunately, five of our eight parents have already physically died.
On the other hand, we can grow spiritually as we age and this is one of the reasons I choose to invest into my relationship with God. I am very thankful that my dear friend Lee is starting to develop a desire to grow spiritually as well. It has been ‘cool’ experiencing Lee’s three stage Christian faith journey (in no particular order):
- Social – relating to, and admiring others of a particular faith. “Hey, if those quality people are serious about this ‘stuff’, then maybe it’s okay for me to consider.”
- Rational (Intellectual) – validating the claims of Jesus Christ, the historical evidence of His death and resurrection, and the promises He made.
- Personal (Emotional) – realizing how following Jesus can positively change our lives here on earth and also give us an eternal, everlasting life upon our physical death.
Lee, thank you for giving me permission to share parts of your faith journey, as I believe many people reading this will relate to your story. Rose Mary and I are so grateful for your and Sharon’s friendship!
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Question to ponder: How do you relate to Lee’s story?
Personal request: If you have a ‘Living in Faith’ story that you believe others might benefit from, please consider confidentially sharing with me ([email protected]) and we can discuss this possibility. Please know my hope is that at least one person will benefit from each Living in Faith reflection because someone was willing to authentically share. Your story could make a difference!
Lee had some very valid questions and comments, but I asked him to relate his faith struggles with other areas of his life. “Lee, when you first got married did every area of your relationship go smoothly or did you have to work at it? How about your children? Did you question the sacrifice required to become a parent? Were you given an ‘ABC and 123’ manual of how to be a great spouse and parent that you could implement to perfection immediately? Of course not. In faith, you chose to marry Sharon despite knowing a high percentage of people get divorced. In faith, you chose to try for children without knowing if you would even get pregnant and whether your children would be healthy or not. Upon reflection, you know how much more value you’ve received compared to the personal sacrifice you’ve made by marrying Sharon and raising your three children. I truly believe you will find the same value, if not more, when you invest into your spiritual life. But I can’t prove it to you. That’s why it’s called Faith. You have to trust that Sharon’s personal spiritual experience, and mine, will also come true for you.”
As couples we have had several great conversations about our physical and spiritual lives. We talk about how frustrating aging is. As much as we fight the aging process, we are physically decaying a little each day. We especially see this in our parents, as unfortunately, five of our eight parents have already physically died.
On the other hand, we can grow spiritually as we age and this is one of the reasons I choose to invest into my relationship with God. I am very thankful that my dear friend Lee is starting to develop a desire to grow spiritually as well. It has been ‘cool’ experiencing Lee’s three stage Christian faith journey (in no particular order):
- Social – relating to, and admiring others of a particular faith. “Hey, if those quality people are serious about this ‘stuff’, then maybe it’s okay for me to consider.”
- Rational (Intellectual) – validating the claims of Jesus Christ, the historical evidence of His death and resurrection, and the promises He made.
- Personal (Emotional) – realizing how following Jesus can positively change our lives here on earth and also give us an eternal, everlasting life upon our physical death.
Lee, thank you for giving me permission to share parts of your faith journey, as I believe many people reading this will relate to your story. Rose Mary and I are so grateful for your and Sharon’s friendship!
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Question to ponder: How do you relate to Lee’s story?
Personal request: If you have a ‘Living in Faith’ story that you believe others might benefit from, please consider confidentially sharing with me ([email protected]) and we can discuss this possibility. Please know my hope is that at least one person will benefit from each Living in Faith reflection because someone was willing to authentically share. Your story could make a difference!