Jared - 18 years old

by Pete de Jong

We met Jared and quickly thought that a conversation with him might be interesting. Any white guy with dreadlocks is usually prepared to think “outside the box”. We asked if he be up for a spiritual question to which he replied that he had a few minutes.

We asked Jared about his spiritual background, and he replied that he was raised a Christian (some sort of “missionary church”) and that his parents were still faithful and took their beliefs seriously.  He also indicated that he doesn’t practice anymore but certainly was not hostile at all to us or answering our questions.  Indeed, he was very respectful.  

We then asked him for three words that he would use to describe his religious experience growing up in a Christian church. He used: “thought-provoking, ”“beneficial,” and sadly, “contradictory.”  He’d like to ask God "Why?  What is the purpose of our existence?"   

When we got to the question about what he would say to God about why he should be let into heaven, things took a turn. Jared said that it did concern him that if God judged him according to the 10 Commandments that he would be found guilty of breaking them, and he went on to explain that he could give us all the right answers about Jesus if we wanted them. He explained that he had been taught “all this stuff” and that he even respected it to some extent, but he has more questions now than answers.  He indicated--without going into much detail--that people let him down.

As it was getting really hot on the sidewalk, I invited us all into the Second Cup coffee house for an iced mocha so that we could delve into that a little more. Jared explained that he was now a little late for a meeting he had with a friend but asked if we were in Kensington often because he would like to talk about his questions. We said it would be easy to connect with him, and so we exchanged phone numbers/email addresses, and went on our separate ways.

John followed up by sending this email:

Hi Jared, 

This is John.  My friend, Pete, & I bumped into you the other day in Kensington and asked you some questions about your spiritual background and opinions.  I enjoyed talking with you and appreciate your honesty in expressing that you have some questions.   

I myself had to work through a number of questions and objections to Christianity.  If it is true, I wanted to know it.  If not, then I would have to go somewhere else.   In fact, one of the reasons I became a philosophy major at my university was to study the best questions that have been put forth by the history of western thought.  I'd love to get together with you and hear some of your questions and perhaps offer some food for thought.  I've thought through a lot of this and would love to be able to help you on your journey if I can.

Absolutely no pressure.  I'm just glad you have an open mind and are asking questions and I hope you find the answers you are looking for.  Pete & I would love to buy you a coffee or sit down for a meal and chat.  My treat anytime.

Have a good weekend, Jared.   All the best, 

We really look forward to meeting Jared again.  Please pray that God would see this happen.

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John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Lord, please convince Jared that you are the way, the truth, and the life.