Read the First Chapter for FREE here!
Don’t Start There
​
The Balcony (Part One)
​
I expected some escalation, but this was ridiculous. I never saw it coming. The sense of failure and complete helplessness overtook me; it was thick, heavy and miserable. I’m not typically emotional, but at that moment, I was experiencing many uncomfortable emotions. Dark, noisy thoughts spewing out of deep shock and despair enhanced them. To compound the situation, I found myself on the balcony of our rented 18th floor apartment. It was a million-dollar view, with the ocean filling much of the image captured by my eyes. The rest of the scene consisted of the white sandy beach that drew a thick line by the sea. The view was interrupted by the many nearby buildings and decorated with deceivingly slow-moving traffic. Life was still moving. Right now, the only thing I was really seeing was the pool way down below. I wondered what would happen if I jumped. Would I miss the pool? Would it be quick?
Indeed, many buildings do not have a 13th floor. They skip over it in an attempt to deny its existence. In truth, there is always a 13th floor. Truth can be ignored, hidden and rejected but never undone because it is simply so. You will know there is a 13th floor if you use the stairs. As you climb the stairs, you are making a journey. You are experiencing it for yourself. You will see that the number 13 has been omitted. You will see the 12 and 14 being unnaturally pushed together. For buildings, there are established fear-based reasons of superstition to justify this rather odd decision. Such is the power of this fear that there can even be a negative impact on the property’s economic value. Wow! What about you? Is there a 13th floor in your life you know exists and have also chosen to ignore because everyone else you know does or out of fear for what you might find? Does the question, Is God real linger on your 13th floor? That type of fear is a lie.
Let me be clear. God is no superstition or hidden on a literal 13th floor. God is not the universe or a distant cosmic power per se. He made the universe and is a person. He is three persons in one, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Confusing? Maybe. Worth pursuing? Definitely. Here’s the beauty, though. He made you, deliberately and on purpose, in His own image. I challenge you to climb the stairs and discover the truth for yourself. Why, you may ask? Discovering the truth for ourselves is how God has wired us. It’s how we will know it’s true. Let’s climb the stairs together.
It’s beyond the scope and purpose of this book to delve into deep theological study. There are many amazing resources available that can help you. If you allow me to share what I’ve discovered to be true about God and His Word, I know it will encourage you. God is all about people and He invites us to be a part of His glorious purposes. My point here is that the experiences and lessons of others can help us, God encourages this approach. Nevertheless, the journey is ours and it’s always our choice to accept or reject God. We can keep Him out of our mind, hidden on the 13th floor or we can go up there and let Him speak to us. There are common objections to God, Jesus, the Bible and Christianity. Most of them are not new and even addressed in the Bible directly. Perhaps you hold to some or all of them. Nevertheless, do you have just a spark of curiosity? Let’s go.
The Bible is outdated, promotes slavery, misogynistic, anti-science, against minority groups and promotes hate. The short answer on all accounts is NO. We can go to the Bible and quickly find many verses we may not like or sound harsh. There are many questions to ask and concerns to address. That is excellent and more than okay. The Bible is an ancient text and often includes references to a culture we know little about. Its age is a strength, not a liability because it has stood the test of time. Its language can be difficult for us. There were people in slavery at the time; however, God works through people and human history. His Word, the Bible, teaches us about Him and His ways. Addressing slaves with a command is not an endorsement of that culture. Consider an employee who works at a supermarket today. He or she is effectively a slave to their employer. Yes, it’s an agreed contract and payment is made. The principle however is the employee is expected to show up and perform his or her duties as instructed by the boss. This is just one example but the point is, don’t start there.
Religion causes wars. It has indeed. What do you mean by religion? Much religion is man-made so it would be fair to say that man causes wars. Jesus Himself had an issue with the religious people of the day. I choose not to comment on what others have done in the past, even in God’s name. I wasn’t there and don’t know enough about the circumstances. Moving forward is always best. Again, don’t start there. Christianity is about following Jesus, the Son of God and bringing His Good News to a dark world.
Christians are hypocrites; sometimes, yes. It depends on what is meant by the statement. Is it that Christians don’t live up to the standards expected? That would be true as we can’t. The Bible tells us this clearly. This is why Jesus brings us such Good News. He is perfect and His perfection is available to be given to anyone who believes in and follows Him. However, we’re all on a journey, working to improve day by day. It is foolish to expect perfection from imperfect people. Yes, there’s been so much evil done by the churches over the years and it’s awful. Plus, if God is good, why is there evil and suffering in the world? Since God is good, the enemy is not and he too is at work in the world. These are fair and excellent questions. There are many answers. Once again I would say, don’t start there. Think a little bigger. Ask the obvious questions first. is God real? Is the Bible His Word?
The Bible is not just a book. Yes, it looks like one but since it came from God Himself (through His chosen people) it has power. It has power because God has all power and authority, He has to since He created everything in the universe. No, that’s not hyperbole, it’s true. What He has to say matters. This is what many people don’t grasp when they dismiss the Bible as just a book written by men long ago. Since God is both real and alive, He is working, moving and speaking even today. Perhaps you’re not there yet so here’s what you can do. Seek God, the creator of the universe, and as you do, He will answer you and reveal Himself to you. This is how you will know the truth about God and His Word. He will speak to you if you allow Him. We all have free will to choose or reject Him. That’s a beautiful characteristic of God. We get to choose, although it is His will that we would all choose Him. The eternal alternative is unthinkable and not what God wants for anyone. He sent Jesus to prove this.
Go somewhere alone and quiet. Speak to Him as if He were there because He is. Read the Bible and start with the book of John. Talk to God like your best friend. Wait patiently and be open to Him revealing Himself in a variety of surprising ways. You may have unusual thoughts come, see visions and have dreams. People in your life may say or do something unexpected. You may start to see things differently, you may come across something in your work, reading or even the media. It could be something else entirely. Try not to decide how God will speak with you, trust He will. Be patient. He knows what language you speak, give Him a chance. He won’t hurt you. Just seek Him to reveal Himself to you and wait. Do not allow past disappointments, other people or objections to stop you from finding God.
Patience is a big thing with God, especially when getting answers or understanding certain things. God is big. He has to be. He is unseen because He is holy (perfect, good and righteous) and currently we are not. These two opposing states of being can’t be together. The Good News is God has made a way, such is His love. There are many unseen things in our world that we know are true. Consider the wind, we can’t see it but we witness its effects and sure can feel it. We live in a world full of strife, evil and problems. God has the answers for you and all of us.
It’s like a broken mirror. Imagine trying to see yourself in this smashed mirror. You can only view bits and pieces at a time. Although you can get a glimpse of the whole picture, it’s incomplete, separated and fractured. From our human state, we can’t see and understand everything. God is in the process of fixing His creation. Let Him fix you today; He is capable. He knows you. There are miracles everywhere and you’re one of them. God knitted you in your mother’s womb. He desires to spend eternity with you. Be open to God being real, the Bible is His Word and He wants you to know Him. Have a little curiosity to simply ask, is this true? See what happens. Start there.