The Beginning

"Jack, do you understand just how important this is?" Tim asked.

"I do, I do. That's why I keep coming back. I want to know that everything's going to be okay."

This was Jack's fifth visit to, what he still called the church on the corner.

"I understand what you're going through. But sooner or later you're gonna have to face the decision, whether you like it or not."

Tim did know what Jack was going through. He was once in the same position, standing on the fence, trying to keep his balance, doing everything in his power to keep from falling on the wrong side.

"Tim, do you think that this Jesus guy really gives meaning to your life? I've been working my whole life to get where I am now. I have everything I need and I've experienced more than the average guy, but for what? I want to believe that there is meaning to what I do……can Jesus really give meaning to my life?"

"Well," Tim said, "he can do more than just give meaning to your life. He'll give you a whole new life."

There was a long pause and Jack's gaze fell to the ground. His expression became concerned and without looking back up he continued, "That's just it, I'm not sure I want him to do that. I like my life. I don't need a whole new life."

Turning his eyes back up to look at Tim, Jack pressed on, "Didn't God give me this life for a reason? I'm not some murderer or thief or drunk. I do good things. I help people. I'm a nice guy. I work hard. Why can't Jesus be happy with that?"

It was at that point Tim realized what Jack wanted. He was in search of something else, something he couldn't give him. He didn't need Jesus, he simply wanted Jesus. There is a massive difference between those two types of thinking.

Yes, he was in search of meaning and purpose, and yes, he was looking in the right spot. Even though his life was, from the Christian standpoint, a good life, he wasn't willing to lose it all. He was searching for something that would make him feel better about himself. He was looking for someone to agree with him. He was in search of something that so many people these days want and eventually think they find.

Jack wasn't in search of a Savior. He was in search of a Jesus-shaped stamp of approval.

With that type of Christianity Jesus becomes nothing more than a companion who pats you on the back and says, "Way to go man" or "Try harder next time." They might feel like their life has meaning to it, but is that it's still their life, not his.

With this realization, Tim knew he needed to take a step back, a big step back. He couldn't start with Jesus anymore. In order to grasp what Jesus did, is doing, and will do, Jack needed to start at the beginning. The very beginning.

"Jack, I think you're starting in the wrong spot."

"Why is that?" Jack responded.

Tim paused then said, "Because until you understand that you are nothing more than a tree in a story about a forest, you won't understand your need for a Savior…..You need to start at the beginning."

"What's at the beginning?" Jack asked.

"The beginning is where the greatest story of all time starts. And you quickly find out the story is not about you."


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