One of my earliest memories of church is negative.
As I’ve mentioned, my father was a pastor after he was a soldier. We were driving home from church one night—I presume after Wednesday night services, which is what we did in small town Methodist churches back in the 1970s. I was about nine years old.
Dad was angry. I don’t know what had happened, but I remember sliding around the big back bench seat of our Chevy Impala, listening to my parents talk. They were processing the events of the evening.
At one point, Dad said, “people don’t change.”
My 55-year-old mind knows that he was upset in that moment. He felt defeated. He obviously did not truly believe that, or he wouldn’t have dedicated his life to Christian ministry. But in that moment, clearly, it is what he felt.
I didn’t know all of this at the time, of course. Nor did I understand his question for the theological premise it was. I just heard his statement, spoken in frustration, which seemed so definitive.
I struggled for a long time with the question he raised that night. Do people actually change—or not?
As you have begun to experience, later in life I discovered that the answer is that people do change, because I have seen it, and even more importantly, I have changed. But change is slow and difficult work and may seem impossible on our own.
The good news is that Jesus is the change agent. He changes people. He changes everything.
So far, we have walked with the first crowds who met Jesus, and then the first disciples. We have explored twelve big questions. Perhaps you have recognized how deeply lies have distorted your view of God, of yourself, and of the world.
Here is the truth: Jesus doesn’t just offer answers. He offers a new beginning. Even more importantly, he offers himself.
If you’ve ever wondered whether people can really change, the answer isn’t found in trying harder. It’s found in following Jesus.
Now, even if you come to see the truth to all of these lies and distortions, you still may not be willing to go all in. The journey continues in Book 3: The Way to Follow.
Our next story will begin with Mark 3:13-19, when Jesus calls the Twelve. It tells the story of Jesus choosing 12 broken, brilliant people to join him. The Truth is that Jesus doesn’t just forgive you or clean you up go on your merry way. He invites you to join him. Your job is to take a first step.
You’re not just saved from something. You’re saved for something.
Let’s continue the story, together.
The More Like Jesus series is a story-driven journey through the Gospel of Mark and our own spiritual formation. Staying close to Jesus changes who we become.
Learn more about book 1, The Way to Begin Again, and pre-order today.
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