“If the Bible were a wine, it would be Chardonnay.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Chardonnay?”
“Yes, the Chardonnay of Truth,” he said as he raised the glass and took a sip.
“Why Chardonnay?” she asked.
“Like Chardonnay, the Bible can be all things to all people. It can be a source of hope for some, comfort for others, freedom, spiritual growth, spiritual food, victory over temptation and most importantly, the good news of salvation.”
“What is it for you?”
“For me, it is my source of faith. In its pages I see God’s love, mercy, grace and faithfulness. And I have experienced many of its truths in my own life.”
“I grew up in a Christian home but I never believed in God or that He was loving. I used to dread going to church because the preacher would always talk about hell and damnation. God sounded cruel and exacting. I was afraid of Him and didn’t want to have anything to do with Him.”
“You’re not the only one who feels that way. I too grew up in a Christian home but I didn’t have a relationship with God. I didn’t read the Bible and I only went to church because of my parents. It wasn’t until I was in university that I felt a need to seek God and to know Him. I picked up the Bible and read the Gospels. My life changed and I accepted Jesus. We all have different stories and paths. Where we end up is up to us.”
She toyed with her salad. “I don’t think I will ever end up where you are.”
“We all have to make choices when it comes to what we believe or don’t believe and live with those choices.”
“That’s true. Right now I don’t think any religion is for me. And I’m fine with that. I will live my life the best I can. I will be kind to others and help those who are in need. Isn’t that what the Bible teaches?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then, I don’t have to be a Christian to do unto others as I would like others to do unto me.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he smiled and sipped his Chardonnay. He would just continue to pray for her.
The main course came and they spent the rest of the evening talking about other things.
Posted for July 2020 Writing Prompts – #27 – The Chardonnay of Truth
Source: Faith Works;
Notes to Women 