In the beginning of August I wrote about the Tiny Mustard Seed. Hope starts out as a tiny mustard seed of faith and we must toil to make it grow.

However, there were other factors happening in that post. The very first thing we did with our faith was deconstruct. Deconstruct? What is that? In the case of my zero turn mower I had to look at (deconstruct) the mechanical and electrical systems to determine if they were healthy or malfunctioning. I used mechanical and electrical systems as a parallel to our spiritual journey. Mechanical and electrical deconstruction is “of this earth” method of thinking. In our spiritual journey we are tasked by Jesus through Paul’s writings to think “not of this world”

Colossians 3:2

New International Version

² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

What is spiritual deconstruction? Spiritual deconstruction involves critically analyzing the teachings you were given about faith, evaluating each one individually to determine whether you still believe them or if they align with your current understanding of God.

One of the missionary couples that our church supports recently visited our church. Due to covid, their normal visitation schedule has been altered and they have visited us more often. Therefore, we have gotten to know this couple. They suggested we get together for coffee and in turn we invited them to our house for breakfast and coffee. Before they arrived, I prepared for their visit by coming up with a question. My question was about evil. The work they do in the place they live is actually illegal depending on how they present themselves. It can be dangerous work. Evil is lurking. I asked my wife if she had any questions and her reply was “Yes if it comes up.” After we ate and were settled into conversation, I told the couple that I had a question for conversation and that my wife did too but only if it came up. I asked my question and the conversation bloomed. The topic then shifted to our marriage and how we met and somehow, we ended up talking about our honeymoon. It was a very nice discussion. Then they asked my wife, since her question didn’t seem to come up, “What was her question?”   

In the country where this missionary couple live and work, they have to approach their work carefully because it is illegal depending on how they present it. Some areas they operate in are dangerous and they even get government escorts depending on the situation. However, they still are part of and witness, many converts from Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist beliefs to Christianity. My wife’s question? “If these people are so adamant about their faith tradition and their God, how do they come to the conclusion to convert to Christianity?”

Here is the simple and stunning answer. In the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist faith traditions their God is unknown. They know they have a God, but they do not know their God. They actually have to ring a bell to wake up the Gods to let them know they are in the temple! Some of these people know that something is missing. The individual knows that something inside their faith tradition is wrong. These people are searching for answers to questions they have about their faith because, in their heart they know there is something more. This is the mustard seed! Can you see the relationship to my mechanical and electrical parallel story? The mechanic deconstructs his machine by asking questions and looking at the system and making corrections. The skeptic believer deconstructs their faith by asking questions and finding correct answers.

The skeptic believer in this case asks questions about their faith. Within their own faith tradition, answers are far and few between. God is just God and it ends there. In the case this couple was describing as an example, the man they were referring to was sent off into the mountains for his job and encountered a person of his faith who seemed to have answers. The problem? The answers the man gave, made it seem as though he was the God. His later encounter with the missionary couple provided the same answers except as Christians we are not the God. Jesus is!

As Christians we are called to have a relationship with God. He loves us and he wants us to love him back! We are known by our God and we can talk with him and walk with him. He will answer our prayers and he will be angry and sad with us. He will sit in our hurt with us. He will be happy and joyous with us. Most of all, He will bless us and celebrate with us!  That is what the skeptic sees. That is what the skeptic wants.  That is how the skeptic grows!

The answer? Jesus!