If God is God

"How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21)

This is what Elijah asked before the contest with the priests of Baal, in front of many Israelites. After Baal was unable to consume the sacrifice, and the God of Israel sent fire from heaven, those there bowed down and acknowledged the Lord as God. But it is Elijah's initial question that I love.

You have to decide. If the God of the Bible is the real God-the God over all people and nations, the creator of humanity-then follow Him. If not, don't. There are two questions, two things that we as humans have to figure out, and then act upon. First, is God God?

The Book of Mormon is a tool to help figure this out. LDS doctrine would urge a seeker of truth to ask God Himself if He is God, going straight to the source. This can be intimidating. What if God answers? If He answers, then we have a responsibility, as Elijah put it, to follow Him.

And that's really the second question: if God is God, do I want to follow Him? Elijah would say that Him being God alone means YES, and I agree to that to a certain extent. But, this is an important commitment. If you don't know who God is, then find out. The scriptures are God's interactions with people. They are a record of who He is. You can also, again, ask Him. You can try the experiment, obey the commandments and see what happens.

Now, don't take my word for it, try it out yourself. But, I will say that God is the epitome of charity and love and tender mercy towards all humanity. And, there is power in that. Love made a God condescend to suffer for our sins, to die, and the power of that love overcame death and hell. It overcomes darkness and loneliness, it creates hope and confidence. God is God, and Jesus saved me, pulled me back from the edge, and is taking me home to my Father. Yes, God is God, and I follow Him. And since I've made that decision I've never looked back. It hasn't always been easy, or fun. But it's true, and I can't deny that on a whim.

So, if anyone is out there waiting, stuck between "two opinions," I urge you to become unstuck. Study it out, ask, meditate, earnestly seek out the true answer, not just the answer you want. This God is Love, but He's no walk in the park. He is a God that changes you, and change can be uncomfortable sometimes. He will raise you up. And, if you find out that God is God, don't hesitate, follow Him. Fire will come down from heaven. A still small voice will whisper comfort, bringing you out of the cave to stand upon a mountain: You are not alone, I have work for you.