Should we shut up and hug? Punch each other in the face? Or...
It would be interesting to do some research, and make a diagram of some sort to show where my friends, family, and I agree and disagree on a variety of moral, political, and theological issues. Okay, so that'd be interesting to me; it's fine if you think my idea sounds about as intriguing as cleaning your oven (who even does that regularly, anyway? If you do, props). The most interesting result from such a project, though, would be something of which I'm already pretty sure: that none of those I surveyed would think identically on every issue.
I find it fascinating that there is a lot of divergence of opinion among my nearest and dearest, and many of them are Christians like myself. There's a lot of gray out there, and I like talking about it, whether with Christians or those of other belief systems. I also like that as a Christian I am called by Jesus to love my neighbor, whether he or she agrees with my points of view or not. What does this mean, though? That's a gray area of its own. One of my professors at Biola, Dr. Murray Decker, really got it across to me that every relationship needs to be full of both grace and truth, and that Jesus exemplifies this for us. I love that. It's really difficult to be full of grace and truth, and it's not made any easier by the fact that we as people can disagree on a lot.
Dr. Decker also pointed out, quite astutely, that most people gravitate toward either grace or truth in the way they conduct themselves. Try thinking of five people in your inner circle and deciding as quickly as you can if they tend more toward grace or truth in their interactions with others. Was it fairly easy to decide? Now think about yourself. Where do you land? I know that I tend to be more about grace, and my lack of truth in my relationships has been very detrimental at times. I've had an abundance of ungraciousness toward people too, though. When it comes to having differing viewpoints with people in our lives, it seems to me that it can be pretty easy to either clam up to give a sense of harmony and security in the relationship, or fall into character attacks and making it all about who's right. I know I've done both, too many times to remember or count. I'm still learning from Jesus about all this relationship stuff.
Let's all keep trying to discern the truth in a world with a lot of gray going on. I want to hear your perspectives on life. Coffee's on me next time. :)
I find it fascinating that there is a lot of divergence of opinion among my nearest and dearest, and many of them are Christians like myself. There's a lot of gray out there, and I like talking about it, whether with Christians or those of other belief systems. I also like that as a Christian I am called by Jesus to love my neighbor, whether he or she agrees with my points of view or not. What does this mean, though? That's a gray area of its own. One of my professors at Biola, Dr. Murray Decker, really got it across to me that every relationship needs to be full of both grace and truth, and that Jesus exemplifies this for us. I love that. It's really difficult to be full of grace and truth, and it's not made any easier by the fact that we as people can disagree on a lot.
Dr. Decker also pointed out, quite astutely, that most people gravitate toward either grace or truth in the way they conduct themselves. Try thinking of five people in your inner circle and deciding as quickly as you can if they tend more toward grace or truth in their interactions with others. Was it fairly easy to decide? Now think about yourself. Where do you land? I know that I tend to be more about grace, and my lack of truth in my relationships has been very detrimental at times. I've had an abundance of ungraciousness toward people too, though. When it comes to having differing viewpoints with people in our lives, it seems to me that it can be pretty easy to either clam up to give a sense of harmony and security in the relationship, or fall into character attacks and making it all about who's right. I know I've done both, too many times to remember or count. I'm still learning from Jesus about all this relationship stuff.
Let's all keep trying to discern the truth in a world with a lot of gray going on. I want to hear your perspectives on life. Coffee's on me next time. :)
Labels: Christianity, relationships
posted by Amanda Lane at 10:07 PM
4 Comments:
My mom would clean the oven every 6 months. Or, which was more likely, I would decide that was my chore because it only had to be done once every six months (as opposed to washing dishes which had to be done every day), and hope she would forget to make me clean it. She usually did.
Anyway, I like disagreeing with people. It makes life more fun. I would like to know what more people actually think about stuff instead of feeling like we all have to agree, but at the same time not be jerks about it.
I love this entry! :) I'll get your coffee. You buy the flight. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want you, Aaron, and Owen to come visit me in Denver this summer and Jacksonhole, Wyoming, too!
P.S. I can think of someone that is ALL truth, but not much grace. Can you take a guess? Ha! I'm working on finding the balance. Thanks for the reminder. :)
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Sometimes I forget that the world is not facebook. I spent too many seconds looking for the button to "like" this entry. Since there is no such button, I'll have to settle for a simple "Word to your mother."
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