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Interacting w/ Differences

Life Under the Sun: Interacting w/ Differences

Monday, May 16, 2011

Interacting w/ Differences

Proverbs says a just man falls seven times and rises up again. Because of what God has done for me, I want to, by His power at work within me, keep on for Him, stand firm for Him. I will fall because I still stand in need of His grace, because He wants all of me, every thought, every action, to bring Him and not me glory. But by His grace, I will get back up again and again and again. I have no room for pride. I am no better than any other. I am only different from nonChristians by God's work in my life. Growth in the Christian walk involves much that is internal as well as external. It is difficult for us to evaluate and is also brought about by grace. Living a pure life is only by God's work. There is that which is error and love speaks truth and will address such but will also acknowledge that we don't know all the answers and there is at times room for different conclusions. God works on people in different areas in different ways. We may have preferences and likes and dislikes but if a Christian worldview in a certain area allows for differences of opinion, that's all these are, and they're also certainly not worthy of pride. I have been touched by hearts that want God's heart and these hearts are no respectors of persons, not closed to those unlike themselves, not unwilling to reach out to them, to make the effort to love, even when it is difficult. They will know we are Christians by our love. Love is difficult, impossible, without God's work. But if we persevere, by and because of God's work in us, we will show love. We will strive for God and we will strive for others whether we consider them too narrow or too broad or just too different. We will correct in love when there is error and by God's grace He'll show us what that is and when and how to address it and to never forget in that life and ours it is God's grace by which we stand. I don't think we show love by never saying what we think about anything, but by listening, by offering who we are and accepting (not wrong but simple differences) who others are as well. If we differ, we can surely say so though not to press the point to where we do nothing but argue. We also must be able to find some common ground because we do have commonalities and we can learn from others.
Just some thoughts I've had as I've tried to dialogue with those who disagree w/ me, who believe me too narrow or not narrow enough.
I admire those who can move in different circles and always be themselves, not change like a chameleon or turn off and on like a power strip but simply live an honest open life and offer that to whomever they come into contact with. I want to be this kind of person but I'm not there yet :)

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