Steve's Journey

This is the Lord's day. Also Epiphany, marking the last day of the Christmas season. Traditionally the day that the magi visited the baby Jesus. There are several versions on when these guys actually showed up. And the famous star apparently wasn't low enough to point directly at the nativity gathering because the wise men were asking around in Jerusalem about where the child was to be born. Today they would have just Googled it.

Epiphany is not just an event. It can be a light-bulb. I'm sure that I had an epiphany several years ago when I came to realize what I now believe to be the true meaning of the gospel. Amazingly, Lois was completely on board the minute I began to tell her. But epiphanies may not bring what you would expect. We were immediately thrust into the minority of the Christian belief system.

Of course, what is now found in the standard Christian doctrines includes a lot of stuff that has been added on (or re-interpreted) since the early church. So, it may be, perhaps, that we are in good company with the first believers. Unlike the standard gospel, which can be shared with all, this gospel can only be shared with those who haven't heard, or can't accept, the traditional gospel.

We shared it with one individual, who fully embraced it, then left it, and is now a Greek Orthodox follower. Another fellow came on board slowly, continued to take the best of both worlds, and is now serving time in prison. Two families totally rejected us and refuse to even discuss spiritual things because of the "false gospel" that we allegedly now have. Lois's sister doubts our salvation. A widow in our neighborhood accepted it with joy; and she had been well-founded in the traditional gospel. Not a very good track record so far. But didn't Jesus say that the road to eternal life would be narrow?

Of course, I don't mean that only a few of us will live forever, and the rest will burn in Hell. I believe that all are God's children and that He will eventually get them back onto the narrow path. Could we be wrong? It's possible. We're willing to accept that, because we love the Lord dearly, and we know that He will do the very best for us. What we are learning has drawn us much closer to Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We enjoy freedom and peace.

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Lord, with thankful hearts we have celebrated the birth (on earth) of Your Son, Jesus. And I know that You know our hearts. We love you, Father, and we believe that what we believe came from You. If we are wrong, please show us the right way. If we are right, please show us how to share the truly good news. Lord, we also believe that you have taught us that how we live our lives as loving servants is far greater than any doctrine. Your will be done.

Amen