Dear Readers

You know the story. Boy meets girl. They get to know each other. Boy and/or girl experience challenges and setbacks, putting a strain on their relationship. They develop as people and learn things. Finally they reach a tipping point where they’re compelled to express their feelings and commitment to each other. And they live happily ever after.

Romantic comedies usually end with a wedding. Marriage is set as a destination just before the closing credits, and what happens after is left unknown. In real life, though, the adventure continues. We don’t stop changing or having struggles after getting married. Reality doesn’t happen in neat chunks.

I think we tend to romanticize our spiritual journeys in a similar way, not realizing it can cause damage. Those who were called into the Church often tell stories about distinct stages of conversion, like that first exposure to the truth, a moment of decision to start keeping the Sabbath or a point of conflict with family or friends. And these are important stories to tell. Church members recall those stages; strong emotions and significant choices were involved.

For those of us who grew up in the Church, though, our stories can seem less definitive. I can remember feeling guilt about sin since I was 4 years old. There wasn’t any clear line between not knowing God’s law and then knowing the truth; I gradually became aware and understood more and more as I got older. One thing about growing up in the Church is that you are aware of God’s law from a very young age and aware of your inability to keep it.

Unfortunately, there can be an added, heavier guilt that comes from knowing what’s right and deciding to rebel anyway. Sometimes I asked myself why I had to sin at all, because I felt I really had no excuse. Experiences like that make for a messier story. For us who grew up in the Church, our stories might have unexpected twists and turns. But they are just as valid.

And in reality, everyone looks the same when examined closely. No one’s whole life fits a perfect narrative structure; it’s an ongoing process of sinning and submitting. All go through times of knowing God’s law and still breaking it. We have a lot in common with those who didn’t grow up in the Church. The ones I know well have shared moments of backsliding throughout the spiritual journey. And I still love to tell the story of the moment I decided to get baptized. God treasures each story, each individual and unique journey to Him.

Of course, the story arc of romantic comedies appeals to us for good reason. The Bible also ends with a wedding, one that we can all look forward to (Revelation 19:7-9). And although it might be the most monumental event in history, it’s still not an ending. It’s just a shift into a new stage, one that will be more dynamic and full of adventure than the best story any of us can invent.

Your friend,

Kourtney Kovanis; Managing Editor | kourtney.kovanis@gmail.com