For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1Here is the question you have been avoiding
What is still true? What, if anything, remains? When you strip away all the beliefs that were wrong, all the theologies that were harmful, all the ideas that do not fit the world as you now see it, what is left?
It is a terrifying question. But it is also the most important question you will ever ask. Because the answer is what you will build your life on. The answer is what will carry you through. The answer is who you will become.
Today, I want to explore what remains. Not to tell you what to believe. But to help you see that there might be more than you think.
The Remains of the Remains
Let me start with what does not remain. This is important, because sometimes we throw out the baby with the bathwater. Sometimes we lose things that could have stayed.
What does not remain: certainty. Most likely, you will not get back the certainty you once had. And that might be okay. Certainty is overrated. It is also often false.
What does not remain: the old answers. The simple answers you were given as a child. They do not work anymore. And that is fine. You are not a child anymore.
What does not remain: the old God. Not the real God, but the version of God you were given. That picture is gone. And that might be the beginning of something better.
What does not remain: the old church. Not the real church, but the version you were shown. That picture is gone too. And that might be an invitation to find something new.
What Might Remain
Now let me suggest some things that might remain. Not because you have to believe them. But because they might. Because they are worth considering.
Something is real. You exist. You are aware. You have consciousness. That is something. It might not be God, but it is something. And it is worth exploring.
Love is real. You have loved and been loved. That experience happened. Whatever else is true, that is true. And love is worth building a life around.
Beauty is real. You have seen a sunset and been moved. You have heard music and felt something. You have seen art and been changed. That is something. And it points to something.
Morality is real. You know the difference between right and wrong. You have a conscience. You feel guilt and shame and pride. That is something. And it demands a response.
Community is real. You need others. They need you. You are made for relationship. That is something. And it cannot be ignored.
The Question of Jesus
Now I want to talk about Jesus. Because if anything remains, He might. Or He might not. Either way, He is worth considering.
The historical evidence for Jesus is strong. He existed. He was a teacher. He was crucified. His followers believed He rose. Those are historical facts, whatever you believe about what happened next.
The teachings of Jesus are remarkable. Love your enemies. Feed the hungry. Care for the poor. Forgive freely. Those are good teachings, whatever you believe about His divinity.
The call of Jesus is challenging. Follow me. Take up your cross. Deny yourself. That is a demanding call, whatever you believe about who He was.
I am not going to tell you what to believe about Jesus. But I am going to tell you to think about Him honestly. To read the Gospels with fresh eyes. To ask the hard questions. And to see what remains when you do.
The Invitation
Here is the invitation. Do not decide too quickly. Do not rebuild too soon. Do not throw away everything or hold onto everything. Take your time.
The rubble is a gift. It shows you what cannot stand. And that is valuable. Build on what remains. Build on what survives the fire.
Tomorrow is the final day. We are going to talk about what comes next. Rebuilding or letting go. What does it mean to come through the other side?
Identify What Remains
What do you still hold onto? Is there anything you still believe? Anything that feels true? Anything that you cannot let go of? Take a moment to identify what remains. It might be more than you think.
- What do I still believe?
- What is the difference between what I believed and what I chose?
- What would it look like to rebuild with what remains?
- Who would I be if I believed something different?
- Am I throwing out the baby with the bathwater?
- What have I lost that I did not have to lose?
- What would it look like to build on what remains?
The rubble is a gift. It shows you what cannot be shaken. Take your time and build on what remains.
Father, I come to you not knowing what I believe anymore. I have lost so much and I am afraid of what else I might lose.
Help me to see what remains. Help me to build on what is solid. Even if I cannot believe everything I once believed, help me to find what is still true.
Give me the wisdom to know what to keep and what to let go of. If there is something worth saving in my faith, help me to find it. In Jesus Name, Amen.
The rubble is a gift. It shows you what cannot be shaken. Take your time and build on what remains.
With honesty and hope,
Claire