Eric Geiger
7 min read ⭑
“The book I wrote with Eden [my daughter] … comes from my own study, hundreds of conversations with Eden and God constantly reminding me that I have received a new identity. I see the struggle in others because I see it in me — the struggle to forget who we are.”
As a pastor in Southern California, Eric Geiger takes his calling to invest in people, especially young people, seriously. Having recently led a small group for high school guys for four years, he also understands the weight of such a calling. Teens and young adults today are constantly bombarded with messages regarding their identity, their purpose and what makes them happy — many of which stand in stark contrast to what Scripture says. That’s why Eric has teamed up with his daughter Eden to write a devotional for teens titled 50 Days to Embracing (and Enjoying) Who God Says You Are.
Listen in as Eric shares about his recent trip to New Orleans with Eden and how it impacted both their relationship and their palate. He also digs into what his bike rides teach him about God, his battle with the performance mentality and the three books that have transformed his life and ministry the most.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
Food is always about more than food; it’s also about home and people and love. So how does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
I grew up in the New Orleans area, where food was the centerpiece of so many conversations in my family and in the culture where I grew up. Oyster po-boys, crawfish boils, shrimp creole, muffalettas, beignets and much more formed the backdrop for connecting with new friends, expressing hospitality, and having long and important conversations with family or friends. That upbringing impacted my parenting in that our family values time around the table, great meals together and exploring the places where we have lived.
I took Eden, my oldest and co-author, to New Orleans on a Dad-daughter trip when she was in eighth grade. The time with her there was so important, not only showing her amazing meals but talking about her identity, who she really is and what she would be known for as she prepared for high school.
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QUESTION #2: REVEAL
What “nonspiritual” activity have you found to be quite spiritual, after all? What quirky proclivity, out-of-the-way interest or unexpected pursuit refreshes your soul?
Now in Southern California, I have thrown myself into the common graces of the culture here. The famous dishes from Nawlins are mainly missing, but there is the beauty of God’s creation to be enjoyed with stand-up paddleboarding, attempted surfing and mountain-biking.
Mountain-biking has been a gracious gift from God to me for refreshing my soul. On those long rides, I see his creation and am reminded of his consistency, his care and the new identity that he has given me as his son. There is a succulent I see every time I take a trail called “Rattlesnake.” The beautiful flower has been there for years, and I am reminded that my Father cares for it — and if so, then how much more so does he care for me? As my wonder goes up on those rides, my worry tends to go down.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you confront its power?
I love the gospel — the good news about the grace of Jesus — so much because the gospel reminds me I am his by his work and not my own. That I have simply received his grace and a new identity and have not achieved them. The reason the gospel is such good news to me is that my biggest struggle is wanting to achieve, earn and prove myself. I know I am not alone, so I preach and teach often about his grace giving us a new identity. But the sermons are always for me too.
The book I wrote with Eden, a devotional for teenagers titled “50 Days to Embracing (and Enjoying) Who God Says You Are,” comes from my own study, hundreds of conversations with Eden and God constantly reminding me that I have received a new identity. I see the struggle in others because I see it in me — the struggle to forget who we are. God’s Word has kept me, and his grace has refreshed me. I have seen this in Eden, too, and the relief and joy that come from continually resting in Christ.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
Eden, my oldest daughter, who is graduating from high school soon, and I have been working on a devotional for teenagers for the last several years. The devotional comes from both of our journeys, from us receiving by faith who God says we are. It comes from lots of time in the Scripture, lots of conversations with each other and lots of time with other teenagers. I led a small group for high school guys for four years, and this was a constant topic. The devotional is an example of the message I needed when I first became a Christian in high school, and the message I have seen transform Eden, too.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Whether we’re Cashiers or CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need God’s love flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
I am a big believer in both general and special revelation — in what Charles Spurgeon called the sky and the Scripture. Being outside in Southern California helps me embrace my weakness — huffing and puffing up a hill and being surrounded by the vastness of God’s creation. Being inside his Word, in the Scripture, submitting to his holy instruction keeps changing me and renewing me. I need both: the morning in the Scripture and the afternoon under the sky.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
Prayer, fasting, being in community, serving, solitude and going on mission trips around the world to learn from others have all been means of grace in my life, tools he has used. But the biggest tool and the most consistent one is time in the Scripture. A cup of coffee and the Word in the morning puts me in a posture to hear from him. The Scripture helps me interpret all I experienced on the mission trip and the conversation I enjoyed with our small group. God uses the time in the Word to purify my motivations in serving, expand my vision for the day and help me relax and rest in him.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and changed your heart?
Other than the Scriptures, three books that God used to change me are “The Parable of Joy” by Michael Card, “The Cross of Christ” by John Stott and “Spiritual Leadership” by Oswald Sanders. Card gave me a passion to walk through books in the Bible and a wonder for Jesus with “The Parable of Joy.” Stott, in “The Cross of Christ,” helped me see theology as practical and beautiful and life-giving. Sanders, in “Spiritual Leadership,” gave me a vision for holy ambition — showing me that I could think big as long as I act small, that I could pursue serving him with greatness as long as my motives are being purified.
Certain things can be godsends, helping us survive, even thrive, in our fast-paced world. Does technology ever help you this way? Has an app ever boosted your spiritual growth? If so, how?
Technology has been a tool for ministry, a great tool with tons of upside. But for me, it has not been a great tool for deeper intimacy with Christ. I have had to continually ask God for wisdom on how to use the tools of technology to serve people well without losing intimacy with him. The Bible app by YouVersion is probably the only app on my phone that has not been a distraction. I don’t have many apps and don’t even have email on my phone.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
This devotional with Eden is fully awakened — the fruit of lots of time with her, Christ and others, talking about how to rest in who God has declared us to be. I believe God will use each day to help teenagers embrace the greatest identity there is: being his.
I need the message of the devotional because the plans our church leadership has for our church in Southern California to serve our cities and to share the hope of Jesus are sometimes overwhelming. I need to be reminded that my identity is secured by the finished work of Jesus and is not based on my work, which is so unfinished, as there is so much to do in the cities where we have congregations.
Although we know we’re saved by grace through faith alone, it’s so easy to revert to the mindset that says we have to earn God’s love by being good enough.
The problem is that this is impossible! We could never be good enough — whether that means kind, talented, smart, interesting or attractive enough — to earn salvation and forgiveness. These are gifts. No more, no less.
If you’re struggling with reverting to that old mindset, consider saying, with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose” (Gal. 2:20,21, ESV).
May we always remember who we truly are — sons and daughters of a loving, merciful God.
Eric Geiger serves as the senior pastor of Mariners Church in Southern California, where he lives with his wife, Kaye, and their two daughters, Eden and Evie. Eric received his doctorate in leadership and church ministry from Southern Seminary. He loves investing in teenagers and young adults, recently serving as a high school guys group leader for four years and as the primary teacher of a young adult gathering.