We're drawn to the Truth

 

In the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about the journey of a court official, referred to only as an “Ethiopian eunuch,” and his chance (?) encounter with Philip on the way home (Acts 8:26-40).  An unusual trip in that he went to Jerusalem to worship, yet it appears he understood surprisingly little about Jesus and His fulfillment of the prophecies of old.  What was it that drew him to take this journey?  Or to continue to study the scriptures during his return trip?  Who or what might have inspired Philip to take this route, and nudge him to join up with the eunuch’s chariot that he might be instrumental in the eunuch’s conversion and baptism?  In Philip’s case, we’re told it was “the Angel of the Lord”, and a few lines later, the “Spirit”.  I’m convinced the same Holy Spirit orchestrated the eunuch’s choices, as well.

Many circumstances in our lives, either voluntary or involuntary, drive us to seek the comfort of our faith in God’s love.  Jesus speaks about our being drawn by God to a belief in Him (John 6:44-51).  It’s through God’s influences (the Holy Spirit) that we’re able to grasp Truth, which is God. 

These influences can be as subtle as quiet moments of contemplation of the night sky, realizing that there must be something greater than ourselves, an uncreated Creator.  Or an influence might be a circumstance that beats us completely down, like the death of a loved one, a sudden serious illness, or perhaps just the accumulated challenges of daily life, as I imagine we’ve all experienced in this past year or so.  In these moments of reflection or dark times of pain and sorrow, we’re drawn by God to instinctively seek to understand His plan and our place in it.

Jesus tells us that no one can approach God the Father except through Him.  But we’re drawn by God to seek our Redeemer.  Pride can make us believe not only that we don’t need God, but even cause doubt as to His existence.  Mankind has become so sophisticated and knowledgeable that we no longer need the “crutch” of religion, faith, or God. 

Despite the vain blindness caused by intellectualism which shrouds from us our true place in existence, we’re drawn to Truth through all our circumstances called Life.  The longing to know and be reunited with our Creator is part of who we are as a species created in His image and likeness.   We humbly seek our Redeemer and through Him come to know Truth, which is God.