Step Two - Giving God A Chance

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

I wanted to share a few more thoughts on Step 2 and this process of coming to believe because it’s so important that we move forward in a way that is real.

In a world where people believe many things – including some who believe there is no god – how do I know there is a power greater than myself?  How do I know that God has any interest in restoring me to sanity or even more important, has the ability to do so?  Our questions are valid and welcome.  We’re not the first to ask them and we won’t be the last. 

Jesus Christ made bold claims about being God and about coming to earth to take the punishment for our sin and brokenness by dying on the cross.  People who hung around with him felt hope stirring in them that Jesus was the one they had waited for centuries to see but some had doubts.  On a dark day when one of those people wondered if he had gotten it right, he sent some of his friends to Jesus to ask for confirmation of what he believed.  Here’s his question.

“Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” 

And this is Jesus response:   “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. God will bless everyone who doesn’t reject me because of what I do.”  Matthew 11:3-6 

We come to believe as we give God a chance to help us see and understand things we have been struggling with; to find strength to take steps we never could before; to experience healing in our hearts and memories where pain used to overwhelm us; to find this life we never knew existed.  We come to believe as we give God a chance to work in our lives and then watch how He does.

I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear.  Psalm 16:7-8

Loving God, give us what we need today so we hear and understand what is true about You, about ourselves, and about Your power to make a difference in our lives today.   Help us to hold onto new truths and let go of other ideas we’ve relied on in the past. 

Give us courage to act on these new understandings and see how You give us sanity and serenity. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief.  Amen

Once we begin to have a sense that God is there for us and can make a difference in our lives we come to a moment of decision and that’s what we’ll speak about next.