A Serious Question

October 6

My friend asked a question last week that got me thinking:

“Bethany, if you weren’t a Christian, where do you think you’d be today?”

The more thought I gave it, the more sobering the question became. I started sensing just how much my faith infiltrates and informs me. I tried wrapping my mind around a life without church or deep friendships or ministry or Bible study or prayer. A life without Jesus.

And it was a scary thought. Because I hadn’t realized the extent of Jesus’s capsizing salvation.

Paul is an example. Before Jesus, his checklist of accomplishments was long:

Circumcised? Check.

Israelite? Check.

Benjaminite? Check.

Zealous persecutor? Check.

Blameless law-abider? Check.

Jesus wrecked all that. On the road to Damascus, he radically transferred Paul to a life that would never look the same.

I don’t like to think about what I’d be doing this Sunday afternoon if Jesus hadn’t saved me. But when I do let it sink in, it reaps thanksgiving.

What about you? Where would you be today if Jesus hadn’t changed you?

And how can you give thanks that he did?