BOOK OF DAVID, pt 1: How To Encourage Those Of Faith Without Losing Sight Of Your Own Beliefs

The real post title is Book of David and how I encourage those of faith without losing sight of MY own beliefs.

I went second person plural in the title to create community, so it’s not all about me all the time. That’s my secret. Most writers don’t pull back the curtain back that.

You’re welcome.

Okay, back to the hot take content: I know someone who travels to different churches to hear the latest from popular preachers, to hear them do their stuff. They take a place in the congregation and listen.

I asked a preacher I know if that’s a common thing, church groupies. He answered with a story from the Book of Mark. I countered with the Book of David.

Him: I suppose you’ve read the Bible and have a good understanding of it.

Me: Only the parts about David.

Him: Have you read the Book of Mark?

Me: I’ve only read the Book of David.

Him: There is no Book of David.

We gaze at one another across the spiritual abyss.

Him: A paralytic wanted Jesus to make him walk, and Jesus said, “What is harder, saying your sins are forgiven, or making you walk again?”

Me: Are you asking me?

We gaze at one another across the spiritual abyss. Again.

Me: Saying your sins are forgiven, but that goes along with the third question. What is harder, saying your sins are forgiven, making a paralytic walk, or following up on either thing, following up on anything. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment, but the follow up is where the work starts.

Him: The person attending church for the sound of the minister’s voice, what are they searching for?

Me: Not sure, but he seems interested in learning more about his faith.

Him: And you? What of your faith.

Me: (this is the closer) My faith is based on The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.

Him: That’s a start.

Me: (continuing) From my earliest memories of the Bible, I won a red Bible for Sunday school attendance in grade school, to this moment, my faith has always been strong on The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost, and here’s why. I’ve been a son, you’ve been a son, most boys have been a son at some point in their life.

Him: Yes, I agree.

Me: Then I became a father. From son, to man, to father. I understand the roles of father and son from the experience.

Him: Yes.

Me: Anything I don’t understand I attribute to The Holy Ghost. I give the Holy Ghost a lot of business. What’s harder, saying your sins are forgiven or helping a crippled man walk? That’s over in the Holy Ghost line.

Him: Is that an answer you’re looking for?

We gaze at one another across the spiritual abyss.