Age 13, you amaze me.

You are so crazy silly, yet you want to know so much. You have so many questions about the world, God, and the relationship between the two. You wonder about deep concepts like, “Do we have to believe everything the Bible says?” and “Are we really the only ones in this huge, unending universe?” Yet you also ask things like, “What about the dinosaurs?!”

I struggle and stumble over my words. I want to answer all your questions. I want to solve the mystery for you. I want to make faith and belief in God an easy choice for you. I want to erase your uncertainty and clarify all your doubts.
But I can’t. If we could, who would this God be, anyway? We do not really want to follow a God we can understand, one we can explain through human thoughts and equations. We would not feel safe living in a world where our Creator could be solved.

He is a Mystery. A beautiful, challenging, never-ending Mystery. That is why it is called faith, dear one, because we just cannot have all the answers that we seek.

I know, I know. It is hard to understand. Why does He seem unknowable? There are people of all ages, races, careers, and life stages that ask the same questions you do. We don’t have the answers. I don’t have the answers.

But there is hope. Hope that a God beyond our capability to understand in our finite minds still cares, protects, and wants the best for us. How do I know this? Because He does tell us that He is Love. And His Word tells us that love is all those things and more.

Love is patient, kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

God does not keep any record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects, God always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(1 Corinthians 13)

I spend my time trying to figure out how to answer your questions so you are content. I realize that the only thing I want to teach you and the only thing you need to know is that God. Is. Love.

When we understand that – the questions seem less pressing, the doubts less scary, and the Mystery more knowable.
He loves you. He embodies love, for you. He teaches us how to love ourselves and to love others. He transforms us by His love.

His love became incarnate in human body, suffering and dying a miserable death to free you from slavery to your sin. He rose again to prove that Love. Conquers. All.

Love never fails. God never fails.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. For I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

He may be a Mystery to us now, but we will know Him fully when we walk into eternity and Resurrection Life. We can trust that then we will find all our answers – but I’m guessing the questions we have now will pale in comparison to the Majesty and Beauty of this wild Mystery God we love.