Proverbs 2:10-12 (CEB)
Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will fill you with delight.
Discretion will guard you; understanding will protect you. Wisdom will rescue you from the evil path, from
people who twist their words.
Perhaps this is the final installment of my tales from the
front porch:
I was reading on the cabin porch one morning last week when I was startled by a loud buzzing sound. My immediate thought was “danger—hornet” because there was a nest at the next door cabin. I looked up to find a hummingbird checking me out. A few moments later I heard something else loud and near. This time it was only a dried leaf blowing across the porch floor by my feet. As soon as I sought understanding of the sources of these alarming sounds, my fears were relieved. I made a note of these because I thought they would be a good illustration of the importance of understanding and wisdom to our lives. A Ministry Matters e-mail yesterday included a long article by a pastor on the polarization in our country over sexuality. He confessed that he was caught up in gay bashing as a college student like many others. It was only when he entered seminary and then began actually knowing and conversing with people who were gay that he began to see things differently. He did that as he gained understanding of something that had been foreign and in a way threatening to him.
He believes and I agree that the way to relieve the conflict in our churches and beyond on this issue is not by throwing bible verses and legalese at one another but instead of dialoguing with those who hold different views. When we do that with open hearts and minds we often find our initial impressions and beliefs are changed. Just like what I feared might be a danger turned out to only be a cute hummingbird and dead leaf.
I was reading on the cabin porch one morning last week when I was startled by a loud buzzing sound. My immediate thought was “danger—hornet” because there was a nest at the next door cabin. I looked up to find a hummingbird checking me out. A few moments later I heard something else loud and near. This time it was only a dried leaf blowing across the porch floor by my feet. As soon as I sought understanding of the sources of these alarming sounds, my fears were relieved. I made a note of these because I thought they would be a good illustration of the importance of understanding and wisdom to our lives. A Ministry Matters e-mail yesterday included a long article by a pastor on the polarization in our country over sexuality. He confessed that he was caught up in gay bashing as a college student like many others. It was only when he entered seminary and then began actually knowing and conversing with people who were gay that he began to see things differently. He did that as he gained understanding of something that had been foreign and in a way threatening to him.
He believes and I agree that the way to relieve the conflict in our churches and beyond on this issue is not by throwing bible verses and legalese at one another but instead of dialoguing with those who hold different views. When we do that with open hearts and minds we often find our initial impressions and beliefs are changed. Just like what I feared might be a danger turned out to only be a cute hummingbird and dead leaf.
God of heaven, grant us wisdom and understanding so that we
may not take the path of wrongdoing.
Often we judge others simply because we do not understand them. Help us
to see all people as your children and to love them as you do. Yet, give us
discernment so that we may know when there is truly danger from another. We ask that you help others to do the same
that we may find unity among all Christians.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment