I thought I would start out with the need to learn how to learn.
We need to be open to new experiences, but in a way that preserves the truth of our past. We should not be afraid that new things are going to shake the bedrock of our beliefs. I do not believe anything I learn going forward will ever shake belief in Jesus as Lord of my life and Savior. Everything flows from that,it is foundational to my worldview,to my thinking about, well everything.
If your beliefs are not that solid in your life, you need to question why.
But a solid belief system should not stop you from pursuing new things, learning new ideas and perspectives. It should lead to growth in and not away from your beliefs, if these beliefs are founded in truth.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
If we are a work in process, should we not expect opportunities of growth to pass before our path? I pursue this kind of growth, as I expect it to keep perfecting me each and every day that I pursue it. And I know I am not smart enough to know the growth until I experience the situation in which to grow in. If it turns out not to be the growth I am seeking, I will reject what does not fit my beliefs in Christ.
Maybe it sounds simple or simplistic, but I find it hard work, but so rewarding when I mine out each nugget of growth.
We need to be open to new experiences, but in a way that preserves the truth of our past. We should not be afraid that new things are going to shake the bedrock of our beliefs. I do not believe anything I learn going forward will ever shake belief in Jesus as Lord of my life and Savior. Everything flows from that,it is foundational to my worldview,to my thinking about, well everything.
If your beliefs are not that solid in your life, you need to question why.
But a solid belief system should not stop you from pursuing new things, learning new ideas and perspectives. It should lead to growth in and not away from your beliefs, if these beliefs are founded in truth.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
If we are a work in process, should we not expect opportunities of growth to pass before our path? I pursue this kind of growth, as I expect it to keep perfecting me each and every day that I pursue it. And I know I am not smart enough to know the growth until I experience the situation in which to grow in. If it turns out not to be the growth I am seeking, I will reject what does not fit my beliefs in Christ.
Maybe it sounds simple or simplistic, but I find it hard work, but so rewarding when I mine out each nugget of growth.
2 comments:
Andy,
Excellent post! Indeed, always wise to have an open heart, for in doing so, we can receive what Papa Son Holy Spirit says to us, shows us, reveals to us in all the multi-dimdensional ways He expresses Love, Grace and Truth to us.
Blessings,
~Amy :)
Author of "Orphaned Into Belonging"
http://www.lulu.com/content/4781677
Walking In The Spirit
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
This is an excellant post, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. Many Christians I've encountered are afraid to be exposed to any thing they consider different, or in any way secular, and in the process rob themselves, at the very least, of understanding the perspectives of folks they may be called upon to testify to. Understanding leads to a more respectful dialogue with those we interact with, and helps us carry on informed discussion. When we lack understanding we can easily be dismissed as ignorant, and/or arrogant (both of which may very well be true of us, if we refuse to listen).
It can be scary to let our faith be challenged; but if it cannot rise to meet challenges, what sort of faith is it anyway?
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