To My Friends Still Considering Jesus Christ

My dear friend, for years I’ve prayed that you may one day discover Jesus Christ. I’ve waited years for you to ask the key questions someone asks when they start “searching.” And here you are, so close, finally. I’m so excited for you. But the Christians in this country seem intent to push you away from God, so that’s why I’m writing to you now.

If you’re searching for God, and you live in America, we’ve done you no favors. At best, we’ve made following Jesus something to scoff at and not something to value. But most of the time we’ve just made it something to resent or even hate.

My friend, as you explore making this decision, please understand that the xenophobia, the bigotry, and the violence you see in the news are not Christ. You can’t find it anywhere in his life. Following Christ is not about fearing someone who doesn’t look like you. Following Christ is not hating someone because their beliefs don’t quite align with yours. Following Christ is not standing in front of a crowd of other young impressionable “Christians” and proudly proclaiming that the gun in your pocket would stop members of another religion. That’s not Christ.

A relationship with God doesn’t mean you have to be a bigot. It doesn’t mean you have to hate gay people. In fact, did you know that God loves gay people too? He also loves the Muslims that “Christian Leaders” seem intent to demonize. But I digress.

If you’re turned off by Christians in this country, then please know that you’re not the only one. I am too. But what I want to tell you, and let’s be blunt here, is that it is possible to love God, have a relationship with him, and not be an asshole to everyone else in the process. In fact, that’s a really big part of the deal (Galatians 5:22–23).

You can disagree with someone and still treat them with love and respect. You can care for the hurting and the poor no matter their country of origin. My friend, you can still love God with all your heart, but you don’t have to be like these people you see in the news.

I invite you to continue your quest. Search for Jesus with reckless abandon because I assure you; he wants a relationship with you. He loves you and wants to be in your life. Let that be where your search takes you, to the heart of God himself. May you find the comfort and peace that I have found as a result of my relationship with him. It’s been a gift. A light in this dark world.

I invite you to get to know Christ. Read about him. Not what others say about him from their stages, in between political rhetoric. No, read scripture itself. Start with the book of John. Learn about Jesus’ life and who he is. Learn about the man I’m proud to follow.

You’ll discover as I have, the louder these Christians get, the less like Christ they look. You’ll learn they don’t speak for God. Friend, my God, is a God of love. He’s a welcoming Father with open arms who just wants you to be the next kid in the family. He loves you so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to die a horrific death all for you. Now that’s some love, man.

When Jesus was here, he wasn’t hanging on to his concealed carry permit hoping for a chance to end another religion. He was showing love and compassion to the marginalized, the hurting, the sick, and the poor. That’s who I follow. That’s who guides my life.

There’s nothing you have done or will do that will make God hate you. He loves you more today than yesterday, and he’s watching anxiously for you to finally take notice of him. Don’t let these hypocrites, these blasphemers, distract you from your search for peace in God. Keep looking, keep asking those questions. You need to. You’re on a journey to find the peace and understanding you’ve always wanted. It’s going to be awesome, friend. I know you’re going to find it. Just keep doing your thing.

Don’t let the news, the politicians, and the American Christians knock you off your path. When the time comes, you’ll find God as I did. It’s going to be a blast. A new life. And when that time comes you’ll start to see the difference. You’ll decide that you’re going to follow Christ, but you’re not going to be the stereotypical Christian. Why, because being a Christ Follower and a Christian in this country are two vastly different things.