SEARCHING MAY

Last night I attended our church’s evening service with my good friend Jeff. At the service we met up with his sister, Loren--who is nineteen and came to know Christ a couple of months ago. It has been such an encouragement to observe the enthusiasm she so openly exhibits about her new faith and the open manner in which she has “announced” that faith to her friends. In fact, it is not unusual for her to bring a friend or two along with her to the mid-week service!

Last night was no exception.

After the service, Loren introduced Jeff and me to two of her friends. I’ll call them May and Sarah; that’s not their real names, but my guess is they would prefer I not reveal their names as they are still exploring the merits of Christianity.

As we traded introductions and spoke briefly, I wondered whether either May or Sarah had a personal relationship with Christ. So, I thought I would go ahead and test my premonition.

“So, May and Sarah,” began my query, “I would like to suggest there are two, key questions in life; two questions virtually everyone addresses at some point: ‘Is there a God?’ and, ‘If there is a God, is He knowable; can one have contact and communication with Him?’ What do you think?”

Sarah nodded indicating a “yes” response to both questions. Then—in a sort of “pass the baton” glance—she looked over to May. With Sarah’s glance, May shook her head in the negative. I wasn’t sure if that “no” was in answer to both questions or to the second; so I needed to clarify.

“So, May, are you saying ‘no’ to both questions or only to the second—that if there is a God you question his ‘knowability’?”

“Hmm.” May was obviously giving thought to her response as she turned her head and flipped her black artistically—entangled hair from one side to the other. “I think there is a God,” she responded hesitatingly. “I’ve recently looked at Buddhism and Hinduism.”

I sensed by the tone of May's response that her investigation, though seriously intended, was more cursory in extent. It was, therefore, important that she come to grips with the outplay of one of the fundamental assumptions proffered by Eastern worldviews in general: the ultimate unity of all that is.

“My problem with Eastern religions, May, is that I have a difficult time believing that all is ultimately ‘one.’ For example, in Buddhism all that exists is considered as coming from an Eternal Source or Void. Even good and evil will be seen, ultimately, to be varying shades of the same ‘oneness.’ Furthermore, if all is ultimately from that Eternal Source, then from where does this sense of false reality come? In traditional Buddhist thought that which we consider to be real in this world is, at least to some degree, illusory and the path to enlightenment comes only as we deny the very concept of ourselves which we hold so strongly.”

“I see what you mean. I’ve also looked at the writings of Karl Marx.”

“Well, it has been awhile since I studied Marx.” I have to confess I was becoming increasingly impressed by the breadth of May’s readings. Wanting to engage May more than simply talk at her, I thought it best, at this juncture, to ask a question. “May, if I remember correctly, Marx’s was primarily an economic model of society. Am I correct in this?”

“Completely economic,” May affirmed.

“I suppose my question would have to be what is at the root of human greed. In other words, why do the bourgeoisie seek to suppress the proletariat? Furthermore, I am also interested by what was discovered after the fall of the Soviet Union---how the leadership lived in luxury while the people often struggled so severely. You know, Jesus taught that it was that which was inside a person that defiles a person. In other words, if we are going to correct the ills of society it must begin inside…inside the hearts of people.”

“Yes, I suppose [Marx’s economic model] is a bit simplistic.” May concurred. Then, as she considered the wide range of options she had suggested she was exploring, May questioned a bit sheepishly, “I’m contradicting myself, aren’t I?”

“No, May, you are thinking and thinking deeply. I think that is excellent; you are to be commended!” If she only knew how many students seldom give serious thought to life and its purpose!

Whenever I have the opportunity to encourage a young person I find it is something which God has used so often to turn a “one time” conversation into additional opportunities for continued interaction.

At this point in our conversation it seemed evident to me that it would be good for me to suggest at least some kind of direction for May’s search—especially since we only had a very limited time for this particular conversation. May was obviously a very sharp, young lady. Yet, she seemed to me to be a bit like the rookie captain of a ship in rough waters—attempting to keep her vessel afloat, having little idea the direction to safe harbor.

“So, May, when you wake up in the morning, what do you hope for, dream for, live for?”

May responded without hesitation. “I don’t know. I just want to go somewhere else. When I’m at home I keep to myself like I’m in my own little world. I guess I am just trying to find out who I am.”

Her openness at this point was compelling. It is at times like these that the work of God’s Spirit is so evident. Otherwise, how could one explain why a young person, such as May, would allow herself to become so vulnerable before a complete stranger as myself?

I continued.

“May, thanks for your openness. Let me say that if there is a God and He has created us, then it seems quite possible we are have been created for a purpose. I mean, why is it that we hope and dream for something more? I think those very qualities—exhibited throughout humankind—point to the fact that, intrinsically, we believe that life is more than simply eating, sleeping, and bearing kids. Does that make sense?

“Yes, I see what you mean,” May responded.

“Furthermore, May,” I continued, “I would like to suggest that—if the existence of such a purpose may be part of God’s ‘signature’ on us—it would make sense that, to ‘find yourself,’ you must begin, first, by finding God. Do you mind if I make a recommendation?”

“O.K.” May’s sincerity was evident. Jeff, Sarah and Loren had become observers of the conversation between the two of us (although I am quite confident Jeff and Loren were praying for me all along!).

“Begin by interviewing Jesus.” I knew this statement required explanation, so I continued. “Take that Bible you received tonight and read one of the books which are like mini-biographies of Jesus’s life. For example (and I showed her the Gospel of Mark), begin with this book. As you read, ask the following questions: ‘What do I think about what Jesus said?’, ‘How did He treat people?’ and, ‘How do His claims mesh with reality?’” [The next time I will include the following question as the sine-qua-non of the ‘interview’: ‘Why would I or, why would I not, want to follow this person?’]

“You’d be a good teacher,” May commented sincerely.

I knew there was One who had allowed this opportunity and who had already accomplished a work in May’s life so a conversation of this depth—especially in this particular context (i.e.—with friends observing)—was even possible.

“Thank you, May. By the way, I assume you like to read?”

“Yes. I am currently reading Anna Karenina by Tolstoy.”

“Then, I am going to buy you a book tonight that you should read. It is entitled Mere Christianity and its author is C.S. Lewis—whom you will know from Chronicles of Narnia fame. Lewis was an Oxford professor. He was, at onetime, an atheist. But through an extensive search he became a theist and, then, a follower of Jesus. If you would be willing to read it, I’ll buy it for you.”

“Carmen, you don’t need to do that.”

“It would be my privilege to.”

That night, as May left carrying the bag containing Mere Christianity I was grateful God had allowed me the privilege of sharing His reality with one who was sincerely searching. And, I was grateful for Loren’s willingness to make her faith known at such an early stage in her walk with Christ. How awesome it is to partner together—with God and His family—in sharing the greatest news ever!