The first time I came to Christ Church I heard the song “Satisfied” that starts like this:
All my life long I had panted for a drink from some cool spring
That I hoped would quench the burning of the thirst I felt within
I was born in Quebec (Canada), in a society that, at the time of my birth, was collectively rejecting organized religion. People were tired of an oppressive and invasive institution, but threw away at the same time faith and spirituality. I grew up learning how to lean on me and myself only. I must admit that this gave me success. Really?
In this overwhelming culture of the self, one learns: self-esteem, self-determination, self-help, self-control, being a self-made man, self-confidence, self-knowledge, self-righteousness, self-determination.
But no one tells you how to deal with:
Addiction.
The feeling of being lost.
Brokenness.
I lived like that for several long years.
Yes, I had great family and friends around me. But nothing could “quench the burning of the thirst I felt within”. Something was terribly missing. Something that I thought didn’t exist: I was an atheist.
I’m a biochemist and my job is to be curious and ask myself questions about life at the molecular scale. A few years ago, I started asking questions on a much bigger scale, questions about the existence of God. I first became agnostic: maybe there’s a God… but we won’t ever know. Then, my observations of the beauty of life brought me to strongly believe that there is a God. Before moving to the United States, I started listening to sermons on the internet. Then, when I moved here, a friend brought me to Church. I started coming regularly and started praying. Finally, I discovered Christ Church.
Now, God, through his love and forgiveness, provides me with purpose, strength, hope and healing.
Today, I am giving back to God.
Today, through baptism, we are now sealing our covenant.
Today, I sign the chorus of the song “Satisfied”:
Hallelujah! He has found me, the One my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies all my longings, through his blood I now am saved