I am a Christian. I am a Christian and it isn't because of a love for the Bible. I am a Christian and it isn't because of the teachings of Jesus. I am a Christian and it isn't because I was convinced by some great reason or logic to believe. I am a Christian because I was raised to be one. Some of my closest friends and family were also raised to be Christians. They aren't Christian anymore. Them not being Christian isn't something that I determined, I've grown not to dare to do that. No, they have told me so plainly that they cannot be that anymore… Christian, I mean. Truthfully, God bless them! They did not leave because of some desire to live in a way that is separate from the teachings of Christ, the Church, or even those that brought them into the world. They know how desperately their parents believe and how desperately they want their children to believe too. This is good.

I am a Christian and it isn't because I believe in the Creeds, though I confess and I do believe. I am a Christian and it isn't because of spiritual experiences I have had, though I have had them and I still do not understand what they are to accomplish. Did they accomplish something? There are those like our Jewish brothers and sisters whose faith and teachings are the bedrock of Christianity, yet they mostly do not believe their Savior has come. There are our Muslim brothers and sisters who believe in Jesus, but as a prophet and not Lord. May God continue to bless them both. I do not judge them for not converting, and I don't judge them when they do. God knows that there are so many others who follow ancient teachings, often times even older than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Lord bless them in their adherence and seeking. There are those who were taught to do good and be kind without any religious affiliation, maybe even a disdain for it. May God continue to bless them and may they continue to seek truth and do good.

I am a Christian because I inherited a faith that resonates with me and helps me process the awe I experience in the love of my children, the selflessness of my spouse, and the charity of my community. I am a Christian because in times of sadness and despair I take comfort in belief that God is there, not as an observer but as a partner who does not judge me or even attempt to rescue me, but simply remain with me. I am a Christian because I am convinced by the ministry of Jesus the Palestinian Jew who was not what anyone expected, but came to be what we all need. I am a Christian because I believe that the love of God is for all and that it is given freely to all, to the Jew, the Muslim, the Hindu, the Atheist, to the former Christian, and even to us - the Christians who think we have it all figured out.
May God grant us wisdom to seek truth, humility to let go instead of doubling down, and love for those who can remain, those who never were, and those who cannot stay. We will all be reconciled - or maybe this is what God's Kingdom actually looks like. I don't know, but I'll be wondering.