It was cold outside, I was heading to my car after an intense physical therapy session on the damaged disk in my neck. I was passing a group of well dressed people heading into the hospital and one of the women stopped me to "witness about God's name."

She was pleasant, but didn't offer her name or ask me mine. She questioned me about what I was doing and after hearing about my appointment, didn't offer sympathy or prayer but launched into her agenda. I was debating on bowing out politely but instead suffered in the cold to let her try to convince me that the most serious issue facing me that day was related to getting the correct name of God figured out.

We danced around for awhile, until I asked her how being in her group had changed her. She said they answered all her questions about life and God. I wasn't impressed. I asked her if she really thought "every answer to life" was found in the Bible? She said, "Yes."

I closed up the talk and introduced myself as I offered my hand for a shake, which she seemed reluctant to take. I then told her that she ought to have asked my name, if she was going to start a conversation. I'm sure she was sincere in her work but I was genuinely disillusioned by the shallowness of what had taken place. I left, really cold and disappointed that many people offer a piety that promises what it can't really provide: answers for everything.

I find greater comfort in the last words the disciple Matthew penned in his gospel than such promises:

Matthew 28:16-20:
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

They worshipped Him, but some doubted.

Not every questioned had been answered but even still, Jesus sent them off into the world, promising to be with them, even in their doubt.

That's a Jesus I can believe in, doubts and all.