Dear friends.....

"You're not trying to convert me, are you?"

A little while ago, I was on the phone to a young woman who works for a large printing company in North Yorkshire.  Her name is Rachel.  Always looking for an opportunity to have a significant conversation with people I remarked, 'That's a lovely Bible name but who was Rachel in the Bible?'  My new young friend had to admit that she did not know.  I said, 'I expect you have heard of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - well, Rachel was Joseph's Mum.'

We proceeded to have quite an interesting conversation but part way through Rachel said, 'You're not trying to convert me, are you?'  My answer completely took the wind out of her sails.

I replied, 'I shouldn't worry too much even if I am trying to convert you because people are trying to convert me all the time.  After all,' I said, warming to the subject, people want to convert me to what they believe - a universe that just happened, a world where things seem completely out of control and where many people are wondering how things will go on, and individual lives that seem to have little purpose or meaning.'  This obviously seemed to strike a chord.  'You see,' I continued, 'they want to convert me to believing in a universe without a creator, to a world without a Saviour and a life, even when things are going well, that is ultimately hopeless and meaningless.  I want to convert them to a universe with a creator, to a world with a Saviour and a life that, even when things are difficult, has hope and meaning.'