Viewpoint from Matt Gooch 08/04/11

Well that's what I think anyway! The idea of crunching on one of these disgusting little things just turns my stomach; I hate them! However, that is about the only food I really hate. What about you? What are those things you just can't bear to even put in your mouth? I wonder if, like me there are some things that you hate the idea of but you’ve never even tried. I was in my mid teens when I first tried mushrooms. I thought they looked and smelt horrid and there was no way they were going anywhere near me. However, after being convinced to try them, they became one of my favourite foods. I heard another story recently of someone who wouldn't ever try curry because of the look of it but now it is her favourite food too

 

Many of us will have completed our census forms recently and will have come across “that” question. Yep, the “faith” one. There has been a lot of debate about this question with some people saying that the question isn't relevant or that it implies things it shouldn't. For me, I was pleased that it was there. I am quite sure what I believe and as a Christian my faith is very important to me and I love the taste of it, but for so many others faith is just something that is never even considered

When was the last time you really asked yourself the question “What do I believe?”, “Could there be a God?” or “What does is it really mean to be a Christian?” It can be so easy to be put off considering a faith for ourselves, because we don't like what we see. Perhaps it’s because the reputation some Christians have, or their portrayal in the media, or maybe the fact that religion seems to be the root of so many wars, or perhaps you just can’t understand why God allows suffering. However, could it be the case that if you were to give God a look for yourself that you could love the taste too? Is it possible that your assumptions about Christians are misguided? Could church actually have something to offer you?

 

I hope the census will give us great statistics and information but I also hope that it will have given us the chance to ask ourselves the question: “So what do I believe then?”

 

It is this issue in part that motivates me to do what I do, ie to lead a Christian youth project. We spend our time working with young people, encouraging them, helping them deal with life and also talking about the Christian faith. It might be easy for some people to think that we are trying to convert people or even brainwash them. But the truth is, I want young people to be informed of the Christian faith and to understand that Christians believe God can, and does, transform lives. However, the choice has to be with them and us individually. Surely we all need to know what we are accepting or rejecting rather than just thinking that we do

 

Imagine if you had the best tasting ice cream known to mankind - wouldn't you just be desperate for others to taste it. There is a verse in the book of Psalms that sums it up for me, “Taste and see that the Lord is good”