By Pr. Rhoda Klein Miller
A recent featured testimony in Christianity Today confirmed my winsome expectations of God. Our Maker and Saviour works with every individual at the pace of grace. In the article published Sept 12, Lindsay Holifield describes her spiritual journey starting from childhood, being unsettled by a depiction of a strict God, bullied into obedience by fear. Deconstructing the rigorous expectations driven by bad theology eventually led to her leaving the faith as a young adult. But something was missing. Her core longing for meaning and spirituality was then met through joining Reform Judaism and later as her friend shared how knowing Jesus was changing her life, a full conversion experience as she discovered a patient, tender hearted Jesus waiting to scoop up this wounded and wandering sheep. Her way back was not easy navigating the triggers of spiritual abuse but she eventually found a “faith of substance…that could truly speak to humanity’s cry for justice with a clear, strong voice.” Discovering the Gospel is truly good news, means understanding God is not anxious about our questions or diversions or deconstructions. More important than providing answers, Jesus provided Himself. He found us before we looked for Him. He was prepared from the very beginning to rescue us from chaos and is engaged in the long-game to save us from destruction (Ephesians 3:1-5). If you have friends and family you fear are far from God, keep praying and take your cue from the One who walks with us at the pace of grace.