“And if we want life that isn’t driven by our past hurts, we must squeeze ourselves onto a tiny dirt road and trust that it will lead us somewhere good.”- Matt Bays
“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”- Matthew 7:14 (NIV)
In Chapters 2 (“One-sided Prayers- It’s Not Adding Up”) and 3 (“The Chain- Kicking God Out of Your Life”) of Finding God in the Ruins, Matt Bays addresses not feeling the need to protect God’s reputation and eradicating inaccurate perceptions of God from your life.
Matt voices his concern about people who resist an honest doubt or two. Pastor Bays believes unexpressed doubt can be toxic. Matt was drawn to finding real answers to life’s most powerful questions.
Even as a young boy, Matt realized that a part of him already loved God, although he couldn’t explain how or even why. At eight years old, Matt said God “occupied an easy chair inside me.” But Matt was unable to reconcile experiences at home with this loving God in an easy chair.
Pastor Bays describes his stepdad as on for whom sin would “continue to be a full-contact sport.” Matt carried many caustic memories with him for almost thirty years.
Alcohol became his “worthless idol.” He needed a life that wasn’t driven by past hurts, to squeeze himself on a tiny dirt road- being redeemed by finding God in the ruins. He needed to start from scratch in his relationship with God.
Today’s question: What Scriptures have helped you return to the tiny dirt road? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Worthless idols”