Quick history lesson - how this Christian got to where she is today

Some people run away at the thought of church, and although church has been a major part of my life, I often find myself sympathizing with those people. In high school, church was everything I had, but when I moved away to college, I became disillusioned with Christians, to the point that I didn't know if I could associate myself with them.

The Christians I met in college were closed-minded. They were right. Everybody else was wrong. There was no middle ground, no room for questions or doubt. Luckily, I found Pastor Lynn, who taught me that faith is a journey in which we are constantly learning and growing. She taught me that nobody has all the answers, which is the beauty and mystery of faith.

At one point I thought I was destined to be a pastor. I loved my Greek and religion classes, which often tested my faith and caused me to question what I'd been taught since childhood. They allowed me to look at religion in a completely new light.

After my second trip to Honduras, I became confused. I began to wonder what it would have been like to grow up in a different culture or with a different religion. A began asking questions like What is a Christian? Who is or was Jesus? Christmas that year was particularly difficult as I sat through church, wondering how much of the sermon was a fabrication of what had really happened.

Once again, I became confused, unsure of where I stood in the religious world. It's been a roller coaster, but while I've been at Ohio University, I've had the opportunity to grow through diligent study and intellectual conversation with professors, pastors and other intrigued students. One of the many fears that comes with a nearing graduation date is the loss of connections I've made over that past four years. Some of the most important of these connections have been with people who have helped me and challenged me throughout my faith journey.

While I know I can't replace their presence in my life, I hope throughout my faith journey I am able to continue the dialogue I have begun at Ohio University. This blog is one tool that will enable that dialogue to continue.