I attended a Christian summer camp during my youth, and at age six, was taught the story of Pilgrim’s Progress. We were introduced to the Gospel through this classic tale, as well as key Scriptures such as Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23. I understood that I had a burden of sin like Pilgrim, and sin earns death. I learned that only way to be free from my burden was through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I told God I was sorry for my sins when the Gospel was presented, and I believe that this was the point when God saved me, though I had a very immature grasp on repentance and faith.
The years that followed were tumultuous for me, both spiritually and emotionally. I was a doubter with misplaced spiritual affections. I had a faulty understanding of God’s sovereignty and goodness, and why He made me at all. God later used marriage, parenting, and ultimately His Word, as a means for addressing these weaknesses.
After I got married, my husband was instrumental in showing me that I was striving to find my identity in what I did rather than in Christ. It was idolatry, a concept I had not previously understood in modern terms. When I had children and began to teach them Christian doctrine, I learned that I was made to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” This concept alone was a game changer for me, as I now understood my purpose in life. I also came to came to a better grasp of human depravity (Jeremiah 17:9), which gave more meaning to why I needed a Savior. My infinite debt required an infinite price. This could only be remedied through Jesus Christ, who paid the price in my place as fully God, fully man (Hebrews 10:5-10, Colossians 2:9). Without repentance and putting my trust in Him, there is no hope for standing before God on the Day of Judgment (Luke 13:1-5, Acts 17:30-31).
I often think of God’s kindness and grace in keeping me through years of misunderstanding the Scriptures in key theological areas. He has used these deficiencies to teach me to prize His Word, the only means of rest for my soul (Matthew 11:29). I am grateful for His gifts of faith and salvation (Eph. 2:4-5).
Questioning Cultural Norms 