“He has also set eternity in the human heart …” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
One summer’s day in 1647, in Paris, René Descartes, one of the best-known voices in the history of western philosophy – and the man who coined the phrase, “I think, therefore I am” – paid an important visit to a 24-year-old fellow mathematician who’d arrived recently in the city. The newcomer was Blaise Pascal, who was nothing short of a genius. Although the two men started on good terms, within a few years they’d taken polar opposite paths.
Mr. Descartes staked his intellectual claim, and in fact his entire life, on human reason and its ability to explain everything that matters. Mr. Pascal became persuaded that human rationality was fatally flawed by the Fall, and that ultimate truth could be found in none other than the historic Christian faith. Blaise Pascal faced serious illness and died before his fortieth birthday. One November night in 1654, eight years before his death, Pascal experienced a profound encounter with the living God, which turned his rather distant and arid view of the Sovereign into a gripping and profound devotion to Jesus Christ.
Among many other things written by Blaise Pascal, I’ll share one captivating quote: “Make religion attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is. Worthy of reverence because it really understands human nature. Attractive because it promises true good.”
As I think about Pascal’s challenge to us, embodied in those lines, I recognize how much it still fits the spiritual climate of our day. I would submit to you that we – as a culture, and as a civilization – are also drowning in a secularism that has failed to deliver. But I would also submit to you my belief that people are becoming disenchanted with a worldview which relegates God to the fringes of our human experience.
I believe that people are waking up from a dead sleep.
As I interact with people post-pandemic, I find – particularly among younger adults – a renewed sense of openness toward metaphysical reality. It seems that personal autonomy – as in, “I can chart my own course” – has not provided the happiness that was expected of it. The slogan, “No Rules, Just Right” may have worked well for Outback, but it hasn’t panned out well for sex, and many who’ve tried it are struggling with loneliness and anxiety.
And some are struggling with God. My friend, Greg Koukl, says: “You feel guilty because you are guilty.” Sadly, it’s true. Every person we know has done something wrong, and the conscience is hard to suppress. For some, their sin is so fresh in their minds that it feels like a horror movie on replay. They’re consumed with remorse, but don’t know what to do with it. People burdened by shame need to hear from us the truth: Jesus forgives sinners! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).” For any of us, it just doesn’t get any sweeter.
And I must mention a rampant, Ecclesiastes-like sense of meaninglessness that’s undeniable. People are reporting a vacuum of the soul that no amount of human philosophy can erase or cover. Are some of these people still skeptical when it comes to the claims of the Scriptures? Yes, absolutely yes. But I do believe that we have a unique opportunity to speak into this widespread void of meaning and purpose. The people around us struggle with the reality of human brokenness and suffering. They have an innate longing to see the world restored and made right, but have no idea how that could ever happen. But you and I know. The day is coming when our risen, reigning Christ will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
But we must do more than speak. This is a great moment in history to open our doors, literally, to people who aren’t quite ready to take us up on an invitation to church. (There are many in that category right now.) In our homes, in rather simple ways, we can help people satisfy their hunger for acceptance and community. The type of “event” that we choose to host isn’t nearly as important as our genuine attempt to foster edifying relationships with our neighbors. Think of it as pre-evangelism if you wish, but this kind of hospitality is central to our kingdom influence in 2025. Let’s create an environment where real conversations about the real Christ can be ongoing as our relationships mature and strengthen.
Because God has called us into His story – the ultimate life-giving story – and called us to share His story with others, genuine awakening happens at the pace of genuine friendship. Beloved, right now matters for eternity.
Never forget the hope in Christ that is yours to share. You’re an embodied apologetic. You’re a living defense of the good news. As you pass along to others the core tenets of our faith, you help people confront their feelings of aimlessness and insecurity. In a real sense, without Jesus, we all struggle with those things. We all need a purpose and a mission that’s above and beyond us. One that isn’t generated by us, but given to us by our Creator. We all crave that identity.
Throughout his teachings, the Apostle Paul describes our conversion to Christ as a complete change of identity. Now, firmly in Christ, you and I are no longer who we were! Instead, we have “put on” a brand-new self, and we have been made a “new creation” in our Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:1-15; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Our old way of life has died, friends, and the Bible describes us as “hidden with Christ in God.” As the outworking of our marvelous union with Christ, we ought to live in a way that’s consistent with our new nature – evidenced by our compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Even when we sin, which we do with regularity, our story isn’t over – because it’s a story of totally undeserved grace. Such an other-worldly lifestyle brings Christ’s unique peace into our lives and our orbit.
As more and more people are awakened from a dead sleep, and recognize the nihilistic emptiness of secular humanism, may you and I be there with the hope of Christ’s glorious gospel. We have a great story to tell – the best in the world – and the best part about our story is that it’s absolutely true! The tomb is still empty!
I’m wide-eyed with you.
Pastor Charles
Leave a Reply