For we can do nothing against the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8 I spent my youth in the former Soviet Union. Although I read many books against the Christian faith there, one day the question popped into my mind: If God doesn’t exist, then why all these efforts to fight against Him? In our communist society, the whole system – education, the media, science, the arts – fought against faith. How could Christians, even though they were being expelled from society, maintain their assurance of faith and peace? I had the example of my parents in mind. They were committed Christians. One day I decided to accompany them to a Christian meeting. But during the sermon I thought about the question, “How can you pray to someone you can’t see?” It seemed absurd to me. Nevertheless, this question didn’t let me go. Six months later, I heard a Christian preacher again and was deeply touched by the gospel. But thoughts came at me from all sides, trying to hold me back: “If you embrace this, you’ll have to give up everything. You’ll lose your friends, your studies, your future prospects ...”. Still, I got down on my knees, tears streaming from my eyes – not because I would lose so much, but because of the brand new realisation that God loves me. I cried out to Him and asked Him to forgive me for my unbelief. And God answered me: He gave me forgiveness and peace! Now it was no longer just a conjecture that God might exist, but I knew it. I received the certainty that Jesus was my Saviour and my Lord – and I’m still sure of it to this day. Today’s reading: The Song of Solomon 1:1-17 · Mark 7:24-37

For we can do nothing against the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8 I spent my youth in the former Soviet Union. Although I read many books against the Christian faith there, one day the question popped into my mind: If God doesn’t exist, then why all these efforts to fight against Him? In our communist society, the whole system – education, the media, science, the arts – fought against faith. How could Christians, even though they were being expelled from society, maintain their assurance of faith and peace? I had the example of my parents in mind. They were committed Christians. One day I decided to accompany them to a Christian meeting. But during the sermon I thought about the question, “How can you pray to someone you can’t see?” It seemed absurd to me. Nevertheless, this question didn’t let me go. Six months later, I heard a Christian preacher again and was deeply touched by the gospel. But thoughts came at me from all sides, trying to hold me back: “If you embrace this, you’ll have to give up everything. You’ll lose your friends, your studies, your future prospects ...”. Still, I got down on my knees, tears streaming from my eyes – not because I would lose so much, but because of the brand new realisation that God loves me. I cried out to Him and asked Him to forgive me for my unbelief. And God answered me: He gave me forgiveness and peace! Now it was no longer just a conjecture that God might exist, but I knew it. I received the certainty that Jesus was my Saviour and my Lord – and I’m still sure of it to this day. Today’s reading: The Song of Solomon 1:1-17 · Mark 7:24-37