For Rowdy Christians Everywhere

by Dave Schultz

The Old Man on Faith

  When we met again he asked, “Aren’t you curious

  to know why believers have such strong faith in God?”

  I shrugged, having so enjoyed his sermon the first

  time. “Well, most people think we’re just hicks, with precious

  little sense. But really, we just don’t need to see

  something to believe it, or measure it to trust.

  “It’s a simple difference in what we choose to trust.

  Some say wishful thinking fools us. I’m curious

  why they never try that shoe on their own foot? See,

  it could be they’re unable to acknowledge God

  because their own godless worldview is too precious.

  Why? Maybe because it lets them put themselves first!

  “Everyone wants to place his own opinions first.

  Commandments to obey? or church doctrine to trust?

  Who needs that? Yet if we hold our ways too precious,

  we blind ourselves. What happened to that curious

  question ‘Am I right?’ While weighing its answer, God

  might be just the one to fill in what we don’t see.

  “Senses and reason can only judge what they see.

  What if we look at different things? Let’s try that first!

  When have scientists and atheists looked for God?

  If they won’t look, are their conclusions worth our trust?

  ‘Myth, culture, delusion’...they choose some curious

  words, for something they haven’t studied! Too... precious.

  “What of healings, visions, tongues, and other precious

  gifts? If you explain them based on what we see,

  the explanations indeed become curious!

  Yet ask Christians what happened at the very first

  and we know. Ask us the hard questions and we trust

  Jesus for answers. Stump us, and we point to God.

  “Man will never explain creation without God.

  Both small and large approach infinity. Precious

  mystery always prevails. At some point we must trust

  someone’s account regarding the things we can’t see...

  Will you ask a proud man for his reckless guess first,

  or look to the Lord your Maker? Just curious.”

  When he had gone, the first thing I did was pray God

  would keep my heart curious to seek His precious

  secrets, and wise, to trust in what I cannot see.