My Letter to Non-Christians

Dear Friend,

I’ve been wanting to write to you for a while now, but it’s been hard to find the time - and even when I have, I haven’t been sure what to say to you.

I know that you know I am a Christian, but I’m not sure you understand what I mean by that. The thing is, I don’t want to get into defending what I believe, because God really doesn’t need me to defend Him.

Maybe the best I can do is tell you a little bit about why I believe, and leave you to ask any questions you have. I hope that’s OK with you.

I’ve become more convinced than ever of the reality of God in recent weeks, as I have seen so much evidence of answered prayers and God doing all kinds of stuff around me. Of course, there is no absolute scientific proof, there never will be, but my own experience of life leaves me without a shred of doubt that God is very real indeed.

If you are not a Christian, that probably sounds like crazy talk, and I really don’t blame you for doubting. In actual fact, I’d be a little disappointed if you just accepted everything straight away, without hearing about the things God does and witnessing for yourself the difference he can make in your life.

After all, so much in life is fake - or downright nasty. Some people use religion to make money for themselves, or simply as a platform to give them a feeling of power and influence over others. In truth, you don’t have to look far to find pretty much everything in life being abused by someone or other.

So Christianity deserves your scepticism - just like everything else. On top of that, I don’t intend to preach at you here. I just wanted to share that I have discovered that, against all the odds, Christianity is for real. I experience the truth of it again and again, and it so often amazes me.

I’m also anxious that no-one treats me differently because of what I believe. If you are not a Christian, please don’t treat me as you imagine a Christian wants to be treated. I am no different from you - and I certainly don’t need special treatment.

I am not a do-gooder.
I am not better than you.
I do sometimes swear.
I think downright horrible thoughts.
I am tempted to do highly inadvisable things.
I am stupid.
I am weak.
I make so many mistakes.
But I believe.

My belief in God, and my conviction that Jesus died on a cross to release me from the power of sin is the only thing that differentiates me from you. I haven’t relinquished my true personality, I haven’t stopped laughing when people fall over, I have not been brainwashed and I have discovered a lightness in existence that I never thought possible during the loneliness and sadness of my earlier years.

So, being a Christian, taking part in Church and seeking to follow God in my whole life is a universally positive thing for me. It’s made all the difference, and imagining my life without God is quite impossible for me.

He’s a friend when things are tough, an ever-listening ear when I need to talk and so much more. I could chat for pages, but it really would start to sound like me preaching - and I promised myself I wouldn’t do that.

I hope you understand where I’m coming from a bit better now. If you want to talk about God sometime, that’s completely cool. If you don’t, that’s cool too.

Thanks for listening - and please try not to be too weirded when I say I’ll pray for you when you’re in need. It’s a cool thing.

All the very best,
Andy.