Last June I was not a Christian but over the course of 10 minutes, everything changed. This isn’t my first story, nor the most magnificent, but I feel like it is the most important story I have. This was the pivot point. This was the day that everything changed. This was the day that I met Christ.
Before I tell you the miracle that came over my life, I want to introduce myself. My name is Chris and I am 27 years old. I am a dance teacher and choreographer and I call Toronto, home. I was raised by strictly atheist parents. And I mean ATHEIST. I wasn’t even allowed to ask questions about God. I remember asking my mother, one day when I was very young, about God. She said something to the effect of, “Some people believe that there is a magical man who lives in the sky…isn’t that silly? Now it’s time to go do your math homework.” Later I asked my biological father (my parents divorced when I was very young) a similar question about God. He asked me, “Do you think God would make Autistic people like your brother?” I had to admit growing up, seeing how much my brother suffered, I didn’t think that a being that was supposed to be all-loving would do such a thing as create Autistic people.
And that was that. I wasn’t even 6 years old but I had made up my mind. There was no such thing as God. And I didn’t think too much about it, after that. But when I got older I began to notice a persistent hollow or empty feeling in the very centre of my chest. It never even occurred to me that it could be the feeling of ‘missing God’. By then I was fully indoctrinated into the belief that Science was the only rational way of viewing the world. And that religious folks were completely delusional – talking to their imaginary friends. But I did know something was missing. I just didn’t know what it was.
At around age 18 I began my dissent into the study of Buddhism. I thought it was a safe choice. Zen Buddhism doesn’t have a God at its centre. It is merely a practice. I knew my parents would approve of my safe and disciplined choice. I didn’t take it too seriously at first. But over the years I began to develop my meditation skills and even considered joining a monastery. Over time, I began to be interested in other Spiritual Practices and other Religions. I collected various texts, and scriptures. I enjoyed visiting temples and old churches. But I never really believed in God. I imagined that the Bible had some historical truth to it, but most probably, Jesus was just some sort of magician. Never in a million years did I believe that I would one day call myself a Christian. Nor did I believe that Jesus Christ made house calls.
Today, I sit here writing to you, completely convinced of 4 significant truths.
- Jesus Christ was a real and tangible saviour.
- If you ask for Christ, he will answer you.
- God is Real.
- If you are not careful with your words, Jesus will show up in your little apartment bedroom and just knock your socks off.
But truly I tell you, I now have an unshakable faith. And I want to tell you my story. It’s a story of an Atheist turned Christian. It’s a story of a life of darkness given to the light. It’s a story of a lost soul that was found. But most important it’s a story of unconditional love.
And so it begins…