To believe, or not to believe

One thing you can say about this brave new world... everyone seems to be struggling to find some faith.

We hunger for hope. I'm sure you noticed the theme of President Obama's campaign. Agree with him or not, he touched a nerve and got elected.

People seem to be growing sicker of the strife, bickering, pessimism and hopelessness we've produced as a by-product of our secularized lives. We all crave to believe in something... something greater than ourselves, bigger than life, something that will bring inner peace and contentment.

Many are afraid no such thing exists. Thus the angst of this present culture reflected in the post modern morass of pointless (even by design) TV shows, cynical comedy, crooked leaders and the tendency to put thugs and gangsters on a golden pedestal. The earth seems to be spinning in the wrong direction; we call evil "good" and label good "evil" (or at least not very cool).

We can't even watch the Super Bowl without some manufactured "wardrobe malfunction" popping up just to make the point that the barbarians rule now and civilization has left the building.

Scientists, intellectuals, philosophers, mythologists, celebrities and even some clergy try to convince us that it doesn't matter, that nothing really has meaning, that nothing exists outside this natural world anyway. But how would they know? They've never been there.

They're like a school of fish trying to comprehend New York City. They have no frame of reference for it. Likewise, the un-spiritual man has no way to truly evaluate the spiritual, trans-natural world.

That's because it comes through revelation, not information.

And that's why prayer is so vital; revelation comes only after seeking and asking. Prayer opens the door to relationship with God.

So, to find a solid footing for your faith, put yourself in a subordinate position to God and ask. Then something remarkable happens. A whole new person is born inside you.

Jesus said, "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'" (John 3:6-7 NIV)