Some things just need to be said out loud. So today, I'm writing it down.
I don't like country music. Nor do I like rap, Southern Gospel, or jazz. I don't care for tomatoes, cucumbers, or Shredded Mini-Wheats. Not that any of those things are inherently bad or that I insist that others do without them, it's just me. Maybe if I gave rap a chance or once again tried to eat a cucumber, I might change my mind, but I don't think so. Those are my preferences. I don't care for the sound of rap music nor the flavor of a cucumber. But I don't think that those who like rap or cucumbers are bad people. God made the world with all sorts of people in it and not 2 of them are alike.
When it comes to the things of God, several things (and there are others) are not up for negotiation--the truth of Scripture, the faithfulness of God, the never-failing love of Jesus, the need for regular fellowship with other believers. When it comes to the preaching and studying of God's Word, the truth of it should be central. Our perception or preferences should not cloud the truth. But in reality, it does. It clouds everything we do and say and think. Our perception is our reality. The way we see things is our only way of judging and dealing with the world. It is our starting point for everything we do.
Thus enter, once again, our preferences. When our preferences are all lined up, we are most comfortable. Think favorite sheets, blanket, pillow, and temperature. If one is off, we aren't completely comfortable. We become more alert and not as comfortable. You might be more alert than you would like to be and unable to get to sleep when you would like.
On the other hand, getting our way all the time can make us soft and ineffective. If I had my way, I would never exercise. I would keep this couch warm all day and become a lazy blob. But because I know the truth, I know that my preferences are not the best way for me to behave. I can't serve God the way he intends if I don't get up and take care of my body. All of us can see how ridiculous my preferences are in this.
So I think we can all agree that getting what we prefer all the time is not always best for us. Growth does not occur when we stay comfortable. Serious physical exercise hurts. Trying new food is uncomfortable. Learning to like a different kind of music is often painful to our ears. But it is in the growing that we discover new joys--a stronger, healthier body, new dishes to cook, or a whole world of a genre of music.
When we open ourselves up to the truth of God and embrace His word, we will clearly see that we are not the focus of worship. It is not for ourselves that we go to church on Sundays. We don't sing to ourselves or go to study things that man has written. Our preacher doesn't deliver a sermon based on someone's ideas. It's all done for the glory of God--the teaching, the fellowship, the music. You may like it or you may not. Your preferences are not the focus nor should they be. Study your Bible. Proverbs 3:5 says "Do not rely on your own understanding." Our perceptions, our preferences, our understandings are not to be relied on on their own. The first part of that verse says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." If we get the trust part right, it is then that our perceptions, our preferences, and our understandings will fall into place.
At the bottom of these disputes over preferences, it is an issue of trust.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right path." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The right path--where else would you want to be?
I don't like country music. Nor do I like rap, Southern Gospel, or jazz. I don't care for tomatoes, cucumbers, or Shredded Mini-Wheats. Not that any of those things are inherently bad or that I insist that others do without them, it's just me. Maybe if I gave rap a chance or once again tried to eat a cucumber, I might change my mind, but I don't think so. Those are my preferences. I don't care for the sound of rap music nor the flavor of a cucumber. But I don't think that those who like rap or cucumbers are bad people. God made the world with all sorts of people in it and not 2 of them are alike.
When it comes to the things of God, several things (and there are others) are not up for negotiation--the truth of Scripture, the faithfulness of God, the never-failing love of Jesus, the need for regular fellowship with other believers. When it comes to the preaching and studying of God's Word, the truth of it should be central. Our perception or preferences should not cloud the truth. But in reality, it does. It clouds everything we do and say and think. Our perception is our reality. The way we see things is our only way of judging and dealing with the world. It is our starting point for everything we do.
Thus enter, once again, our preferences. When our preferences are all lined up, we are most comfortable. Think favorite sheets, blanket, pillow, and temperature. If one is off, we aren't completely comfortable. We become more alert and not as comfortable. You might be more alert than you would like to be and unable to get to sleep when you would like.
On the other hand, getting our way all the time can make us soft and ineffective. If I had my way, I would never exercise. I would keep this couch warm all day and become a lazy blob. But because I know the truth, I know that my preferences are not the best way for me to behave. I can't serve God the way he intends if I don't get up and take care of my body. All of us can see how ridiculous my preferences are in this.
So I think we can all agree that getting what we prefer all the time is not always best for us. Growth does not occur when we stay comfortable. Serious physical exercise hurts. Trying new food is uncomfortable. Learning to like a different kind of music is often painful to our ears. But it is in the growing that we discover new joys--a stronger, healthier body, new dishes to cook, or a whole world of a genre of music.
When we open ourselves up to the truth of God and embrace His word, we will clearly see that we are not the focus of worship. It is not for ourselves that we go to church on Sundays. We don't sing to ourselves or go to study things that man has written. Our preacher doesn't deliver a sermon based on someone's ideas. It's all done for the glory of God--the teaching, the fellowship, the music. You may like it or you may not. Your preferences are not the focus nor should they be. Study your Bible. Proverbs 3:5 says "Do not rely on your own understanding." Our perceptions, our preferences, our understandings are not to be relied on on their own. The first part of that verse says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." If we get the trust part right, it is then that our perceptions, our preferences, and our understandings will fall into place.
At the bottom of these disputes over preferences, it is an issue of trust.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right path." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The right path--where else would you want to be?
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