Q:
I don't look down on people who find the Bible or church helpful, but I get just as much inspiration taking a hike through the woods or looking at a star-filled sky. God is all around us, if we'd just stop and look.
A:
Yes, God is all around us, because He created everything—including you. And He not only created it, but He put within us the ability to enjoy its beauty and marvel at His handiwork. The Bible says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).
But our greatest need isn’t simply to be inspired by the beauty and greatness of God’s creation. Our greatest need is to have the barrier between us and God erased—a barrier that’s been created by our own sin and rebellion. Yes, we see God’s work all around us. But we also see something else if we’re honest: we also see sin and suffering and evil. And if we look within our hearts, we know we fall far short of God’s standard for our lives.
This is why we need Christ, for only He can overcome the sin that separates us from God. He did this by becoming the final and complete sacrifice for our sins through His death on the cross for us. The Bible says, “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
By a simple prayer of faith turn to Jesus Christ, confessing your sins to Him and asking Him to come into your life. Then make the Bible—which is God’s Word—part of your life every day. Discover too the joy and encouragement that come from being part of a church where Christ is preached and followed.