this i believe essay about god

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Elie Wiesel's 'This I Believe': A God who remembers

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I remember, May 1944: I was 15-and-a-half, and I was thrown into a haunted universe where the story of the human adventure seemed to swing irrevocably between horror and malediction. I remember, I remember because I was there with my father. I was still living with him there. We worked together. We returned to the camp together. We stayed in the same block. We slept in the same box. We shared bread and soup. Never were we so close to one another.

We talked a lot to each other, especially in the evenings, but never of death. I believed — I hoped — that I would not survive him, not even for one day. Without saying it to him, I thought I was the last of our line. With him, our past would die; with me, our future.

The moment the war ended, I believed — we all did — that anyone who survived death must bear witness. Some of us even believed that they survived in order to become witnesses. But then I knew deep down that it would be impossible to communicate the entire story. Nobody can. I personally decided to wait, to see during 10 years if I would be capable to find the proper words, the proper pace, the proper melody or maybe even the proper silence to describe the ineffable.

For in my tradition, as a Jew, I believe that whatever we receive we must share. When we endure an experience, the experience cannot stay with me alone. It must be opened, it must become an offering, it must be deepened and given and shared. And of course I am afraid that memories suppressed could come back with a fury, which is dangerous to all human beings, not only to those who directly were participants but to people everywhere, to the world, for everyone. So, therefore, those memories that are discarded, shamed, somehow they may come back in different ways — disguised, perhaps seeking another outlet.

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How can we therefore speak, unless we believe that our words have meaning, that our words will help others to prevent my past from becoming another person's — another peoples' — future. Yes, our stories are essential — essential to memory. I believe that the witnesses, especially the survivors, have the most important role. They can simply say, in the words of the prophet, "I was there."

What is a witness if not someone who has a tale to tell and lives only with one haunting desire: to tell it. Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.

After all, God is God because he remembers.

Independently produced for All Things Considered by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with John Gregory and Viki Merrick. Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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This I believe : the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women

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This I Believe

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2006

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By BGEA Admin   •   July 13, 2021   •   Topics: Faith , God

There is a lot said about people of faith, yet I have many friends who say they have faith but they cannot identify “faith in what or in whom.” Some say it is just believing that there is a greater power than mankind. What is the truth?

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Having faith in God the Creator of the world is not simply education or experience. The Bible begins with the simple words: “In the beginning God … ”  These four words are the cornerstone of all existence and of all human history. God is not just “a power.” He is the source of all things. He is the beginning and the end.

Without God, there could have been no beginning and no continuing. God indeed was the creating power. By divine fiat, He brought form out of shapelessness, order out of disorder, and light out of darkness.

God cannot be rationalized—to try is to fail. There are mysteries about God that we will never understand in this life. We should not think it strange that it is impossible to comprehend God intellectually, when it is equally impossible to explain many mysteries in the realm of matter. Who can fathom the law of gravity? Newton discovered it, but he could not explain it.

There are many arguments we could marshal to give evidence of the existence of God. We see objects that have no intellect, such as stars and planets, moving in a consistent pattern, cooperating with one another. Hence, it is evident that they achieve their movements not by accident, but by design. If God can be fully proved by the human mind, then He is no greater than the mind that proves Him. Cry out to God, “Lord … help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). There is only one God, and He wants everyone to come to Him and be saved.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

Ask God to be your Lord and Savior. Pray now.

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This I Believe: Created in God’s Image

by Damian Torres-Botello, SJ | Apr 17, 2015 | Justice , Sexuality , Spirituality

God is Love image courtesy Flickr user Nathan Rupert

In a five-part series released the week of March 16th from the National Catholic Reporter, God’s Community in the Castro , a parishioner from San Francisco’s Most Holy Redeemer parish had this to say about his spiritual home: “We don’t see ourselves as a gay community, but rather as a community that’s open to gays…It’s an acceptance and a realization that people feel OK to be who they are that makes this place different.”

For many LGBTQ men and women, The Castro District of San Francisco has been their home where life can be lived with dignity. As NCR reporter Thomas C. Fox points out in this series, Most Holy Redeemer has been the spiritual center for LGBTQ Catholics living in and around this neighborhood. Much of its current history started in the 1980’s when AIDS was taking so many lives. Since then this parish has been the sanctuary for an often neglected and shunned community.

As Catholics, we have a sense of the Church being a truly universal home, a place where all are welcome, as the name Catholic would indicate. Yet within that sense of universality there are many who feel the Church is not a welcoming home for them. Teachers have been terminated from jobs , children with disabilities have been refused sacraments , and many divorced men and women continue to feel unwanted . You don’t have to look hard to find similar stories from African-American Catholics , Latino Catholics , Catholic women , and former Catholics alike. And all of this tension has caused people to leave the church , and in some cases, lose their faith .

Yet here’s the truth I know and believe: I am created in God’s image and likeness, just as God creates us all. It is actually that simple. But sometimes we take that image and likeness and complicate it. That complication created concern for my loved ones as I discerned religious life in 2011 at the age of 33. Some were troubled that I’d find difficulty as a man of color in an ostensibly all-white male order. Others feared I would be forced into the closet after seventeen years of accepting myself as gay. A few friends expressed worry I would not encounter common ground in an order filled with the privileged when I only knew disadvantage. All of their observations and concerns were valid because they not only came from a place of love but through their own experiences as Catholics.

I am more than my skin color, my sexual orientation, and my economic class. It restricts God’s image and likeness if I only see myself as those three aspects. Defining myself purely on what I am limits who I am and how I can be of service. Even allowing these characteristics to dictate my life would prevent me from engaging the world as a wholly integrated human being. Besides, I prayed, and discerned, and made a choice. I made a commitment to live the vows of consecrated chastity, poverty, and obedience because of my belief in Christ, the mission of the Church, and the people of God. I share my struggles openly just as I share my joys. Like my parents did with each other, transparency helps me live my vows honestly so that I am always available to live out my calling as a Jesuit.

That’s the truth that sits within each of us: God made us all in his image and likeness. St. Francis De Sales said, “Be who you are and be that well.” To embrace all that we are – and to embrace each other with that love –  is to embrace that image and likeness; it is to embrace God. 36 years of life and my short time as a Jesuit have confirmed that truth. And so I pray as a Church we discover tender compassion for each other to love the God that dwells in us all.

[Editor’s note: this piece has been updated to correctly identify the author of the National Catholic Reporter series.]

God is Love image courtesy Flickr user Nathan Rupert, found here .

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Damian Torres-Botello, SJ

dbotellosj@thejesuitpost.org   /   All posts by Damian

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Sorry, there was a problem., the god who embraced me: a 'this i believe' essay audible audiobook – unabridged.

• Listening Length 3 minutes
• Author John W. Fountain
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• Audible release date September 28, 2007
• Language English
• Publisher Macmillan Audio
• ASIN B000WOYD98
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Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on God’s Importance In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Understanding god’s role.

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guide who helps them choose right from wrong. When life gets tough, thinking of God can give comfort and hope.

Learning Through Stories

Religious books are full of stories about God’s love and power. These tales teach kids about bravery, kindness, and honesty. They often look to these stories for lessons on how to live well.

Prayer and Strength

Praying to God is like talking to a friend. It can make you feel strong and calm. When you’re scared or sad, praying might bring peace and a sense of not being alone.

Belonging to a Community

Believing in God can connect you with others. Many gather in places like churches or temples to worship together. This can create a feeling of family and support among the people.

250 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guiding force in their lives. For those who believe, God is very important because He gives them hope and purpose. When they are scared or unsure, thinking of God can bring comfort and courage.

Learning Right from Wrong

God is often seen as a teacher of what is good and what is bad. Different religions have their own rules that God has given them. These rules help people decide how to act and treat others. With God’s teachings, they learn to be kind, honest, and fair.

Finding Strength in Tough Times

Life can be hard sometimes. When people face problems, they may pray to God for help. They believe God listens and gives them strength to get through tough times. This belief can make them feel less alone and more able to handle life’s challenges.

Bringing People Together

Belief in God can bring people together. In churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship, people gather to pray and celebrate their faith. This creates a sense of community and belonging, which is very important in life.

Hope for the Future

Thinking about God can give people hope for the future. They believe that God has a plan for them and that everything will work out for the best. This hope can keep them going when things are difficult and can inspire them to work towards a better future.

500 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a source of strength, guidance, and love. In this essay, we will explore why God plays a significant role in the lives of believers.

Comfort in Tough Times

Guidance for right choices.

Every day, we make choices. Some are easy, and some are hard. Believers turn to God for help in making the right decisions. They may read holy books, like the Bible or the Quran, to learn what God teaches about living a good life. By following these teachings, they feel they can choose the path that will make them and the people around them happy.

Feeling Loved and Valued

Everyone wants to feel loved. Believers find this love in God. They think of God as a parent who loves them no matter what. This love gives them confidence. It makes them feel important and valued. When they know God loves them, they also learn to love themselves and others.

Learning to Forgive

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we hurt others. God teaches about forgiveness. Believers try to follow this teaching by forgiving those who have wronged them. They also ask God to forgive their own mistakes. This helps them live without anger and bitterness.

Building a Community

Believing in God often brings people together. They gather to worship, celebrate, and help each other. This creates a community where people care for one another. In this community, they share their love for God and find friends who support them in their beliefs.

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What names are you answering to? It’s easy to forget who we are in the midst of life’s struggles. But, as believers, we can trust what the Bible tells us about our identity in Christ, and how we should live in light of those truths. Today’s post from bestselling author Hosanna Wong will explore some of those key identity Scriptures, offering insight and encouragement by unpacking nine names God calls us.

God knew that throughout our lives we’d be told lies about who we are and who we are not. Our Creator’s words show us who we were created to be, and who we have always been. Remember, no one has the power to define you but the One who created you. And the names God calls you may be very different from the other names you’ve been told.

I want to unpack nine names from the Word of God, names He has given to those who follow Him. Write them down, study them, highlight and circle everything that stands out to you. To be clear, God gives you a lot of names in the Bible. I encourage you to read it fully and uncover every name God has given you and see yourself through His lens. These nine are a great place to begin.

• 1. Friend of God

For the one who feels abandoned or alone . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “I don’t call you servants any longer. . . . I call you friends.” John 15:15 (VOICE) You are not abandoned or alone.

FRIEND OF GOD. That’s your name.

For the one who feels like an afterthought, a mistake, or second place . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “To you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 4 (NLT) There is no requirement to be chosen by God other than belonging to God.

Eugene Peterson puts that same verse this way: “It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (MSG) This means that not only is your position important, but God has intentionally placed you precisely where you are. You are no afterthought.

CHOSEN. That’s your name.

• 3. God’s Masterpiece

For the one who feels unworthy, or less-than . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “We are his workmanship,” ( Ephesians 2:10, KJV ) “We are God’s masterpiece,” ( Ephesians 2:10, NLT ) and “We are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.” ( Ephesians 2:10, VOICE ) You are not unworthy.

GOD’S MASTERPIECE. That’s your name.

• 4. God’s Temple

For the one who feels ashamed of your body because of what you’ve done with it, or what has been done to it . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (VOICE)  You are not defined by what you did or what was done to you.

GOD’S TEMPLE. That’s your name.

• 5. God’s Messenger

For the one who feels ill-equipped to show the love of God in your everyday life, who thinks your story is not good enough to help people, or your life could never make an impact . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)

The apostle Paul said, “Your life story confirms the life story of the Anointed One.” 1 Corinthians 1:6 (VOICE) You are not unqualified to share the hope of Jesus.

GOD’S MESSENGER. That’s your name.

• 6. Child of God

For the one who feels like you grew up too fast, your childhood was stolen, and you never got the chance to fully experience what being a child is like . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “Whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.” ( John 1:12, MSG ) We “are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” ( Galatians 3:26, NLT )  You are not defined by what was taken from you.

CHILD OF GOD. That’s your name.

• 7. Greatly Loved

For the one who feels unlovable, too broken, and like there are things in your past that could never be redeemed . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “While we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us,” ( Romans 5:8, VOICE ) and “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” ( John 15:13, ESV ) You are not unlovable.

GREATLY LOVED. That’s your name.

• 8. Free, Indeed

For the one who feels like you’ll never be set free from the shame of who you were, what you’ve done, or how you used to live . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ( John 8:36, NLT ) “And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” ( Romans 8:10-11, NLT ) You are not chained to your past.

FREE, INDEED. That’s your name.

• 9. Brand New

When you feel like you are stuck with your old names, your old mentalities, and the opinions of people who only knew you by your past . . . you are more than you’ve been told.

The truth: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT ) You are not stuck in your past.

BRAND NEW. That’s your name.

• You Are More Than You’ve Been Told

Adapted from You Are More Than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong.

In  You Are More Than You’ve Been Told,  spoken word artist and bestselling author Hosanna Wong unveils a fresh approach to spiritual disciplines as the practical ways we can stay connected to God and to our true selves. She will help you:

• identify the lies that have held you back and uncover important truths about who you are and have always been,
• discover tangible tools to help you heal from deep wounds and see God in the most tender places of your story, and
• unlock four key rhythms that will help you be free of burdens you were never meant to carry.

It turns out—You will know who you really are when you spend real time with the One who knows you the best. Let this practical roadmap show you how.

You Are More Than You’ve Been Told   is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.

Hosanna Wong

Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Widely known for her spoken word piece, " I Have A New Name,"  Hosanna shares in churches, conferences, prisons, and other events around the world, reaching across various denominations, backgrounds and cultures. Hosanna is the best-selling author of  How (Not) to Save the World and You Are More Than You've Been Told .

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Pamela Paul

Your Religious Values Are Not American Values

By Pamela Paul

Opinion Columnist

Whenever a politician cites “ Judeo-Christian values ,” I find it’s generally followed by something unsettling.

Last month brought two flagrant instances. In both cases, Republican officials introduced state laws that formalize precepts of the Christian nationalist movement — in the words of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (A.D. 2019), “doing everything we can to restore the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation.”

On June 19, Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana signed legislation requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, a practice struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1980. A rich endorsement came via Donald Trump, who crowed , “I LOVE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND MANY OTHER PLACES, FOR THAT MATTER. READ IT — HOW CAN WE, AS A NATION, GO WRONG???”

One week later, Landry’s fellow Christian soldier Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction, announced plans to mandate teaching the Bible in public schools. Walters said learning the Bible is necessary to having “an understanding of the basis of our legal system.”

Forgive me for wondering: Is he referring to “ an eye for an eye ” or the stoning of disobedient children ?

Either way, for both Trump and true believers, it hardly matters that the First Amendment was intended to protect religion from the state, not to have the state impose a religion. (So much for originalism.) Their goal is to impose one form of religion , Christianity, and the underlying message is that those who do not share it will have to submit.

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Historical Archives

An athlete of god.

Martha Graham

In seven decades as a dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham created 181 ballets. A pioneer of modern dance, she is known for her collaborations with artists, including composer Aaron Copland with whom she created Appalachian Spring . Carl Van Vechten/Library of Congress hide caption

In seven decades as a dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham created 181 ballets. A pioneer of modern dance, she is known for her collaborations with artists, including composer Aaron Copland with whom she created Appalachian Spring .

This essay aired circa 1953 .

I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one's being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God.

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.

I think the reason dance has held such an ageless magic for the world is that it has been the symbol of the performance of living. Many times I hear the phrase "the dance of life." It is close to me for a very simple and understandable reason. The instrument through which the dance speaks is also the instrument through which life is lived: the human body. It is the instrument by which all the primaries of experience are made manifest. It holds in its memory all matters of life and death and love.

Dancing appears glamorous, easy, delightful. But the path to the paradise of that achievement is not easier than any other. There is fatigue so great that the body cries, even in its sleep. There are times of complete frustration; there are daily small deaths. Then I need all the comfort that practice has stored in my memory and a tenacity of faith. But it must be the kind of faith that Abraham had, wherein he "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief."

It takes about 10 years to make a mature dancer. The training is twofold. There is the study and practice of the craft in order to strengthen the muscular structure of the body. The body is shaped, disciplined, honored and in time, trusted. The movement becomes clean, precise, eloquent, truthful. Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul's weather to all who can read it. This might be called the law of the dancer's life -- the law which governs its outer aspects.

Then there is the cultivation of the being. It is through this that the legends of the soul's journey are re-told with all their gaiety and their tragedy and the bitterness and sweetness of living. It is at this point that the sweep of life catches up the mere personality of the performer and while the individual (the undivided one), becomes greater, the personal becomes less personal. And there is grace. I mean the grace resulting from faith: faith in life, in love, in people and in the act of dancing. All this is necessary to any performance in life which is magnetic, powerful, rich in meaning.

In a dancer there is a reverence for such forgotten things as the miracle of the small beautiful bones and their delicate strength. In a thinker there is a reverence for the beauty of the alert and directed and lucid mind. In all of us who perform there is an awareness of the smile which is part of the equipment, or gift, of the acrobat. We have all walked the high wire of circumstance at times. We recognize the gravity pull of the earth as he does. The smile is there because he is practicing living at that instant of danger. He does not choose to fall.

More 'This I Believe' Essays

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