The Great Debate

After reading 99% of the comments, one thing became crystal clear—everyone’s answer was shaped by their own life experiences. This is especially true when it comes to matters of faith. Our perspectives are molded by our personal journeys, and spiritual convictions run deep. This is why it is absolutely necessary to seek God for ourselves. To. Know. Him. Personally.

That’s also why the influences in our lives—our families, church communities, pastors, elders, neighbors, teachers, and friends—should be seen as starting points, not final authorities. They are introductions, not permanent fixtures in our understanding of God. When Jesus was finally found by His parents after three whole days of searching, His response showed just how independently He had come to understand His place in God’s grand design:

“Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I had to be here, dealing with my Father’s business?” But they didn’t grasp what He was saying.

Our spiritual curiosity should never end when we walk out of a church building. No one but God holds exclusive rights to the truth. We are merely stewards of what we have discovered. Faith is not meant to be a passive inheritance—it’s meant to be exercised, stretched, and explored. Don’t settle for pre-packaged beliefs, served on a silver platter and punctuated by well-timed “AMEN!”s.

Never forget this—God wants us to explore, to seek, to wrestle with both the physical and the spiritual mysteries that lie before and behind our eyes.

— YorkAli Walters