Grasp the Light
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We recently purchased a little gadget for our cats. It is a wand with a red laser beam. You can wave it and a small red dot dances across the floor, up the walls and around the furniture. The cats dash about, pawing at the little bright light. They cannot figure out why they cannot grasp it. Try as they might, it slips through their claws. The elusive little red dot that catches their eye, soon becomes too frustrating to chase anymore, or they just poop out from trying so hard.
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I think that describes a great many people’s experience with religion. It is too elusive, too hard to grasp. At first, they are attracted to the brightness, the newness. But it requires too much effort. The concepts slip through their fingers. Try as they might, they just poop out from trying so hard – trying so hard to be perfect, or to be good enough to be able to commune with God, or trying to change to become a better person. So they try a different brand of religion, but the same thing happens. Too many rules, too hard to do.
But is that what Christ requires? No. What He requires is that we follow Him. We do not have to be perfect or chase after happiness. We do not have to be good enough to get in God’s favor. That is what is elusive – there is no way we can. But the truth is this – Christ has done that for us. The gift is there within our reach. We just need to grasp it.
Scripture tells us after the crowds, who mainly came to be healed, heard Jesus’ teachings, they went away. They did not understand what Christ was offering – it was Himself.
“From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave, too do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve” (John 6:66-67, NIV).
Too many people just do not realize that true happiness does not have to be an elusive dream. However, it does require effort on their part. Jesus came to save us, to bring the Light to the world, but it is up to us to respond. We have to reach out to the Light and take it into our hearts.
Unlike our cats with the toy, the Good News is that we do not have to chase after godliness and happiness all of our lives and possibly never get it. It is attainable. God presents it to us through His Son. Salvation through Christ is solid. It will not slip through our fingers. It is the one true thing we can hold fast to.
Simon Peter got it right. He simply replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (vs. 68).
Question: Have you felt you were chasing after happiness, yet it seemed just out of reach? Tell us about it.
About the Author Julie Cosgrove
6 Responses to “Grasp the Light”
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What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
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Sharon, may I join you in saying that I, too, used to feel that way. And each time I would hit a brick invisible wall that would stop me in my tracks. I just didn’t get it, chasing without any foundation. I had found the Lord in my life 3 years ago now but not without first hitting the last wall. That one took me down like I’d never been before. That was then, this is now, today. Any ‘reaching’ I do today, I can only do in and through Jesus Christ. He is my foundation.
i used to fell that way but not now because i found The Lord
Thank you Lord that I am not concerned about relgion but in You ONLY. I trust You with all of my heart and soul that You have taught me many things to survive in this life and I guess at one time I was into relgion, but You changed my heart to look to You as my whole Saviour.
Cheri, I think this sort of inclusive mentality comes from a desire to be “tolerant” as our culture defines it, which basically means to be politically correct and never offend anyone. The gospel itself causes offense, so some people will try to dilute or even change it.
The mountain analogy seems flawed to me. Would your friends consider Scientology as just another means up the mountain? If they are okay with that, what about Satanism? Everyone has a means of transportation, but it seems that there are many mountains, not just one, if these means of transportation lead to different places.
It can be difficult to confront people about this sort of issue though, because all that can happen is that you are branded “intolerant” (perceived as being the worst insult possible!) and that’s the end of the discussion. This of course is incorrect. Merely disagreeing with someone doesn’t make you intolerant. In fact, tolerance implies disagreement; there’s no need for tolerance if you already agree! So care will need to be taken to express the truth in ways that won’t seem “intolerant” to them.
It may be helpful to suggest doing a Bible study in the book of Acts. It contains some strong statements that Jesus is the only way (ex, Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”). But they may not be convinced by verses like that; they may agree, and say “Oh but Jesus can save people through any religion.” That’s why studying the apostles’ behavior in Acts is instructive. They certainly don’t seem to be acting like it doesn’t matter what people believe. For example, in Acts 2, after Peter preaches to the crowd, they ask him what they should do. He doesn’t say, “Well, if you like Jesus, you should follow him, but if you don’t, well, you’re okay as you are.” He says: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) We might also wonder: Did Paul suffer for nothing (ex in Acts, listed in 2 Cor 11)? It seems like his beatings, stoning, being thrown into jail, etc were all a waste of time if trusting in Jesus with our lives is not necessary.
It seems difficult for me to read Acts and not be convicted: These men were not preaching as though belief in Christ was optional, they were preaching as though people’s very souls depended on it. Pray that as people read God’s word they will be convicted by His truth, even if they don’t particularly “like” the conclusions they are led to.
Some resources that might be helpful …
Greg Koukl has a video on the subject here http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7527 And also has a little booklet called “Jesus, the only way: 100 verses” that is available for $2 http://j.mp/98EweY
There’s a book called “But Don’t All Religions Lead to God?” by Michael Green which also addresses this issue.
This lesson has been helpful. I am struggling with good friends and a youth minister in our church about believing being a choice. It has been hard to deal with. They are saying that all humanity is saved through Christ(which I agree that Christ died for all humanity). that it doesn’t say there is a choice to accept Christ.Also, that each religion is worshiping the same God in different ways. For instance,it’s like a mountain and everyone is striving on a journey to reach one goal but has different ways on getting there(beliefs)car, horse train etc. They say, “This is my way but that doesn’t mean it’s everyone elses or the only way.” I feel Christ is the only way. That it teaches clearly he is this way and he gives us a choice. Any sugestions and am I just being to close minded? I can’t see where this other perspective can be truth. thanks, Cheri
After reading this, I find myself with a sense of relief. I sometimes overwhelm myself with guilt not being able to live up to being the ‘christian’ I am supposed to be. I end up feeling defeated when I believe that I am not following the Lord the way I am supposed to. I know not to give up and to remember…”we do not have to be perfect or chase after happiness”…No more chasing for me. I now know that it is attainable and available to receive.Amen!