One Step At A Time

Sometimes conversion happens in a dramatic way in response to a specific event or life circumstance like the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. Most of the time however, conversion happens one step at a time with fits and starts and often a little slip here and there. Ultimately, true conversion over a lifetime draws us deeper into truth and ever nearer into union and communion with our Lord.

For Rich Mullins conversion seemed to happen one step at a time. He makes reference to that in one of his last concerts where he tells a story of how he was born again and again and again.
Rich attended RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) the Catholic conversion class, about a year before he died. This class is intended to bring the participant into a deep understanding of the Catholic faith and emphasizes the need for conversion. Right before Easter, the RCIA class goes to confession in preparation for receiving our Lord through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ). Rich did not complete his conversion at that first Easter, and lost his life before his scheduled entrance into full communion with the Catholic Church. Yet Rich Mulllins no doubt experienced great insight through his study of Catholicism and developed an unquestionable maturity in his faith as the years progressed.

This maturity is particularly evident in the song, "Creed." Coming from the tradition of Quakerism with slogans like "No Creed But Christ," imagine the steps of conversion it must have taken him to finally get to the place where he not only accepted the Apostles Creed but was moved to the point of pouring his heart out in words and music to show his devotion to God through this ancient statement of faith.

Consider the beautiful words to this song below and watch Rich perform this amazing melody on video:

I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried

And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man

I believe that He who suffered was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and on the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God's mighty right hand
I believe that He's returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men

And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man

I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it

I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends

And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
I did not make it, no it is making me
I said I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man