Do you find that you are meeting more atheists these days? Does it look like a trend? Do you read books on apologetics and find them to be convincing? Atheists read books by atheist authors and find them to be convincing. You probably aren’t interested in reading their books, but they aren’t interested in reading yours either. Both sides go where they get reassurance. But your atheist friends will read you. Is your life an open book? Paul spoke of people in his care saying they were an epistle, known and read by all men.

Do you walk in the darkness or in the light? This is an important distinction and all believers would claim to walk in the light. What does this mean? Are you aware that you live a charmed life in an enchanted world? You may see this as connected to your belief, but I send sun and rain on the just and on the wicked alike, and open my hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. You have insight and awareness that you live in a benevolent world. Everyone lives in the same world but not everyone can see this reality even though they receive the blessings.

Do you think that I am good at everything? What about marketing? I referred to my followers as sheep. I said that my sheep hear my voice, and told Peter to feed my sheep, and you want to be a sheep in the story of the sheep and the goats. But being referred to as a sheep is not considered a compliment in any other context. In fact it is an insult, implying that one lacks resolve and fortitude. Would any marketing firm have recommended a sheep as a promotional image or logo? How do you reconcile these images? Do you still want to be my follower if it means identifying as a sheep?

Do you expect to go to heaven? What do you expect to find when you get there? Gold and precious stones? You don’t get to visit in advance like a real estate open house, and the Bible gives a limited amount of details, but gold and precious stones are mentioned. These are highly prized and sought after on earth. Is the desire for these things the motivation to seek the Kingdom of God? Would you expect to find anything else there that is even more valuable? In that day you will see me as I am, and know as you are known.