My wife tells me frequently that I should write a book. My response is, "What?"
I'm not the type that can imagine typing away at an opus masterpiece. Yet I'm reminded that all great journeys begin with but one small step. So perhaps this little blog is my first step toward something more profound. Or maybe its just meanderings of a middle aged pastor. Do I have anything to say?
Speaking of the profound, I am always amazed at how lacking in profundity we are. We settle too easily for sound bites and simple answers rather than doing the hard work of learning through listening.
I have had a variety of people tell me what the Bible says about one thing or another. When I asked them how they came to their conclusion, all too frequently they will quote to me one bible verse, or some vague generalities that they hope will mask their lacking of understanding. When did we as followers of Christ decide that "written word" takes precedence over the incarnate word Christ? Wasn't Jesus always confronting their understanding of the written word?
It's like me sitting down to this computer and pounding out a few words and claiming some special knowledge that is beyond what others might say. This is plain crazy, and yet time and time again, I have people who have only the rudimentary biblical skills telling me what the bible truly says. Now, please don't get me wrong, I believe that one doesn't have to go to college in order to get an education. Nor do I believe one needs to attend seminary to understand or discern the meaning of scriptures, but it sure does help to some extent. If we don't have a very strong understanding, doesn't it make sense to study under one who might have greater knowledge or expertise? Yet, all too often our piety or pride gets in the way of such a sensible choice.
Like I say in the title, I really don't have much to say... especially if I want to keep up the appearances of being fairly intelligent. So I will end with a joke,,, it's better to keep your mouth shut and have people assume you to be stupid than open it and prove people right.
Peace.
Dearest Paster Al-
ReplyDeleteI would like to believe that we see what we want to see, and hear what we want to hear, and those that want to see stupid, will, but those that want to love, will also. Art is life, and without the separate personalities of each person's unique filters and ideas, our artists pallets might be as dull as they greyness, of silence.
Silence is only golden when we are alone, as Gallileo has said, God would not want me to forgo what he has bestowed me with, my own thoughts.
Let it ride--God knows your heart.
Best WIshes for the Holidays, and great blog!
LIZ
I'm a little amazed at that take on things, I was always taught that the best way to learn was to question, probe, query, propose and discuss. I was also taught that there were no stupid questions, other than the ones that remain unasked. Is it really your position that people should just keep their mouths shut?
ReplyDeleteI don't like these cold, precise, perfect people, who, in order not to speak wrong, never speak at all, and in order not to do wrong, never do anything.
ReplyDelete-Henry Ward Beecher