Tuesday, January 08, 2008

I believe in God, but I act like an atheist


There is an atheist lurking in me

It's easy to point out the sadness of the intolerant and pompous pronouncements of modern-day atheists like Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris. How do they shake the haunting emptiness in their soul? What do they fill it with? Learning? Materialism? Humanism? Hedonism? Selfishness?

When they look at the stars at night, do they ever wonder "what is at the edge of space?" When they contemplate the bookends of our existence, do they ever think "when did time begin? And when will it end?" Do they ever wonder, "Who am I?"

But, admittedly, my own world is filled with documented moments of doubt.

Those times when I decide there is no God, not by my words, but by my actions. When I act as if there is only me and I pursue my own ends without regard to His purpose, then I act as an atheist.

Those times when I ignore the souls of those around me and absorb myself in my own cares and pursuits. I am an atheist.

Those times when i ignore the very clear clarion call of God. I act just like the atheist, for the God I claim I do not believe enough to obey.

In those times, I should cry out, "I believe, but God, help my unbelief!" May my life refect my heart!
without regard to His purpose, then I act as an atheist.

Those times when I ignore the souls of those around me and absorb myself in my own cares and pursuits. I am an atheist.

Those times when i ignore the very clear clarion call of God. I act just like the atheist, for the God I claim I do not believe enough to obey.

In those times, I should cry out, "I believe, but God, help my unbelief!" May my life reflect my heart!

1 Comments so far, click here to add your own:

Real Live Preacher said...

Hey, I missed you guys for awhile because I rely on your feed with google reader and it was broken. works now.

I like what you said about your actions being more important than your words. A theist who acts like an atheist is an atheist.

I'm featuring this today at http://HighCallingblogs.com

"What makes our labor holy, what makes it eternal, is not just the work but the state of our hearts while performing that work. When we comprehend that truth, then we realize washing dishes is as significant to the Kingdom as operating on a patient; driving a truck is as eternally triumphant as leading a company. Then, even in the zig-zags of our careers, when life seems more random than ordered, when it feels like we're running in thick mud with heavy boots, we can rest in the knowledge we're serving God as we labor faithfully and diligently."

-- Randy Kilgore, Made to Matter