The Journey To Genuine Faith

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
I Peter 1:6-7

In 2019 I had the opportunity to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. I didn’t go up in it because the lines to get in are always very long, but I remember seeing it from some little distance while on a bus tour. That view was more striking than when we walked right past it later. It’s so tall you can’t really take in the whole sight standing too close.

Side note: if you want your picture taken at the Eiffel Tower, you’re better off to come to the slightly less famous Eiffel Tower in the slightly less famous Paris where I live in Tennessee. It’s slightly less tall and so a little easier to get a good photo. 😁 Also, no lines.

Thirty years before that trip to France, I had the opportunity to explore the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá in Mexico. Back in those days, they were still letting people climb to the top of the temple pyramid, so that’s what we did. Was it safe? Noooo, no way. The steps were very narrow, uneven, crumbling in places. I can understand why they don’t let people climb them anymore. But on the other hand, what a shame. It wasn’t perilously dangerous for the average visitor, and I got so much more out of the experience.

Funny thing is, as impressive as it is, I don’t remember the moment of seeing Chichén Itzá for the first time. I remember the view from the top.

When I went to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, a couple years ago, I found both the first glimpse and the on-ark experience to be memorable. From the parking lot they take you on a bus to the actual site, but there’s still a walk of, I don’t know, maybe a quarter mile to board the ark. From that distance you can see the whole structure, and its size is very impressive. When you get inside, you’re able to explore all three floors and learn a lot about what life on the ark was probably like.

So. Spiritual application time.

I think some people see God the way I saw the Eiffel Tower (the big one, in France). They view Him from a distance and are impressed. They may even walk right past Him and say, “Wow, that’s cool!” But they’re not planning to be there long, they don’t really want to wait in line; they snap a couple pictures, so to speak, and move on.

Others see Him from a distance and start walking that direction. They climb aboard. They walk through and learn all they can. They start with “seeing” God and then move on to experiencing God, usually through participation with a church.

But let’s face it, the Ark Encounter is a replica. It’s not the actual ark. Is it possible that sometimes our encounter with Christianity is like that– so sanitized, so organized, that it’s not quite the real thing?

If I had to go back in time and could only keep one of the three aforementioned travel experiences, it would be the climbing of Chichén Itzá. Maybe just because the thing that made it so memorable is not even allowed anymore. But literally climbing a structure that is literally almost as old as Christianity– something about that is just so authentic.

I want an authentic encounter with God, don’t you? And church is certainly part of that! But it will also require serious study and application of His word to real life situations outside the church building. A good worship service can make us feel close to God, but sometimes closeness to God is a struggle up a lot of rocky, uneven steps. Sometimes Satan will try to rope God off and tell us we’re not allowed to climb there; it’s too dangerous. He’ll encourage us to be satisfied with the replica experience, to believe that’s all there is.

But Peter tells us that “genuineness” of faith is possible, “though it is tested with fire,” (I Peter 1:6-7). An authentic relationship with God is worth every narrow, fire-riddled step. And just imagine the view from the top!

Dear God, I pray for genuineness of faith, though it may be tested by fire. Give me the courage to seek you no matter how difficult the journey may be at times. I pray for an authentic relationship with You, and I thank you for making it possible through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins

P.S. Apparently there is a Mayan pyramid you can still climb at the Coba Ruins in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Field trip, anyone?