Why would I be concerned whether there is a God, or what he says?

On Friday, September 24, I served as a substitute teacher at Wasilla High School. When I retired, before being asked to return to St. John and help out, I applied to serve as a substitute in the Mat-Su School District. I not only thought this might be a way to keep busy in retirement, but I also felt that I might be able to make a difference by helping out in our local schools. I know people have many negative ideas about the school systems in our country today. But, I can tell you that for the 5 or 6 times I have served as a substitute teacher I have received detailed sub plans, the classes are well organized, and the students know what they are working on. In fact, the students I have taught, from kindergarten through high school, have been respectful, and for the most part, focused on their work. From my experience our schools are not the horror scene which many imagine. The students are actually growing and learning. The one difficulty I have is that the schools use a LOT of technology which I don’t totally understand. But, the more I substitute, the more familiar I become with the computers.

However, on September 24, during the 6 periods when I had students in the classroom, I looked at them and realized how different their world is than when I attended high school over 50 years ago. We had no computers, no cell phones, no internet, or Facebook, or Twitter. Politics were much different. When I graduated, Richard Nixon was president! Spiritual thinking and moral issues were viewed differently. Certain behaviors were considered to be either right or wrong. As I looked at these students in my classes on Friday, knowing that my life as a child of God revolves around my relationship with my Savior, I got to thinking what they might ask me. If many of these students knew my values they might ask me, “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?”

All sorts of answers to these questions came to my mind. First, most people do have existential questions. We want to know who we are and where we come from. We want to know our purpose in life. Christians have answers to these questions. The Lord created our world and He created us. He has answers to our purpose in life.

My second response: we live in a crazy world that seems to be more and more chaotic all the time. But, the Lord who created heaven and earth in power, in wisdom, and in love, is smarter and wiser than I am. I’m not in charge of the world, but I am thankful that God is. That might be a reason for us to consider God, and listen to His direction for our lives. At least I thought so.

Also, in this crazy world we all face troubles and problems, trials and sufferings, that in many ways are bigger than we are. But God, who created the world through His Word, is all powerful. He is bigger than our problems. In fact, Psalm 46 teaches, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) The help God gives for our lives is a reason why I would think a person should be interested in whether there IS a God, and what He says.

I continued to list reasons in my mind for why people, the students that I saw, might be interested in the Lord during this unique time in history. Another answer that came to my mind is that God’s teaching, His Torah, His law, is really what is best for me as a person whom He created. We are more healthy physically, mentally and spiritually, when we follow God’s loving direction for our lives. Isn’t that reason to consider the Lord and teaching?

As I looked at my students, other reasons came to mind if one of them might ask me these questions. For example, I might answer that I should be concerned because God will judge me. Or, I should be interested because God offers salvation. I should be concerned because . . . But, in a way, all religions make these claims to a certain extent. And, I’m not sure the students would even listen, if they asked me why they should be concerned and I gave those answers.

Yet, as I considered my students, I also realized that the Christian faith has a different answer to these questions than other faiths do. That answer is something I believe the students might even listen to. “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?” Because . . . He loves us!

In our impersonal world, God knows us by name. As our Creator He knows us better than we know ourselves. Our Heavenly Father cares enough about us to send His Son as our Savior. Jesus, the Son of God, loved us enough to live His life for us, to suffer injustice for us. He loved us so much that He died a cruel death for us. God love us so much that, for people who struggle, and who fail, and sin, He offers forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. God’s love makes the difference! Our Lord’s eternal care for us in our Savior is an answer to the questions which these students might ask, “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?”

St. Peter wrote to a Christian congregation and, as He was assuring these believers of God’s love, He gave these instructions. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) Are you prepared?

As I looked at the students On September 24, and as I wondered about their lives, I realized we come from different time periods. But God is straightforward. In answer to the questions, “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?” God’s answer is simple. “Because I loves you!”