I’m fascinated by science. Unfortunately, my struggles with math limited how far I could progress. Nevertheless, I chose the science of computers as my field of study but focused on utilizing their power in business. Less math was required, and the demand was high. The problem for me was that I enjoyed the company of people more than machines.
Somewhere along the way, I moved further away from God. It wasn’t the fault of science or technology, and I never thought of my situation as not believing. I never stopped believing God created science, scientist, and computer nerds. Nor did I find evidence in science that the universe came from somewhere other than God.
Instead, it was a matter of shifting priorities. God became less important than my ambitions. I tried to keep this shift a secret while not realizing that it’s obvious when this happens. And God knows long before we realize it ourselves.
Scripture is full of stories about this happening to people. The results are never good. However, God doesn’t give up on anyone. Some of us are slow learners, and it takes a lifetime to figure it out. Sadly, too many never do and miss out on the joy that accompanies trusting God with everything.
Our new series is based on a book by Barnabas Piper titled Help My Unbelief. In his book, he shares his personal journey with doubt and unbelief. And you and I gain insight into what faith really means.
The book title comes from a story found in the Gospel of Mark. A man brings his son, hoping to find a cure for his son’s convulsions. When Jesus confronts the man about whether he genuinely believed that his son could be healed, the man asks Jesus, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:14-29).
It turns out that embracing doubts and questions can help us to get to know God better. So our hope for this series is that each of us will come to trust God in our everyday lives. Even when we don’t understand everything we may want to know.
Fortunately, God never gives up on us. N. D. Wilson writes in his forward for the book that “When we cannot see, we are still seen.” Jesus searches for the lost in the same way a Shepherd never gives up until a lost sheep is found.
We kick off 2023 with a dive into a struggle that is common to all believers, doubt. Few of us call our condition unbelief. But our unwillingness to be honest with ourselves doesn’t change reality. Until and unless we fully trust God with every aspect of our lives, unbelief has a grip on us.
I pray that you will join us each Sunday morning at 10:30 am. We share our weekly episodes on our YouTube channel. We go live at 10:30 am. You can find these links along with more information about us, or join our live broadcast on our website at FlintAsbury.org.
Pastor Tommy
Barnabas Piper. Help My Unbelief: Why doubt is not the enemy of faith. © Barnabas Piper, 2020. Charlotte : The Good Book Company.