The older I get the more I realize that people don't like it when someone (me) speaks passionately unless they agree with me or are intellectually stimulated by the conversation and then can speak just as passionate around me. Passion is seen as self righteous and "holier than though". Passion threatens sensibilities and courtesies. Passion ruffles the feathers of "playing nice". When I speak from my heart I do it in a way that is persuasive. So I think that comes off as arrogant. That's not my intention but I guess that's the price I pay for saying what I think. I see passion as vulnerable and transparent. I think humility has been misconstrued for ambiguity. It's like not having an opinion is standing in an intellectual safe zone. “I don't know" equals intellectual culpabilitylessness. ( I made that word up :) I had a discussion with a friend about TORTURE and I think as Christians I can never endorse, condone or justify torture. That is my opinion and I will defend my opinion because I believe it. I am sure there is some scenario where I would fold and say "rip his fingernails out!" But as a general rule torture (including waterboarding) would be unacceptable. Can anyone imagine Jesus violently interrogating even Pontius Pilate? I am not above being argued out of a point or even better, argued closer to a compromise. But, I believe something because I have thought about it and pondered it and wrestled with it and rolled it over in my brain. Like making tin can ice cream, I've kicked it around for a while. If I sound like I am making a stronger argument, people, a lot of the time, assume I am judging them for their belief or I am critical of their stance and therefore calling them less of a Christian.
Because I think I'm RIGHT doesn't mean I think I am RIGHTEOUS.
I have no corner on holy or righteous or better than. I have a bag of opinions that I try to line up with my world view and what I think God is about and that's it. If your bag looks different than mine then that makes the discussion just that much more interesting.
If I don't or can't understand how your opinion about something does or doesn't line up with Jesus than so be it. There is no judgment there. If I'm telling you I think you are wrong then that is my thought not God's. Only God knows truth and right and wrong and what those really are.
Because I think I'm RIGHT doesn't mean I think I am RIGHTEOUS.
I have no corner on holy or righteous or better than. I have a bag of opinions that I try to line up with my world view and what I think God is about and that's it. If your bag looks different than mine then that makes the discussion just that much more interesting.
If I don't or can't understand how your opinion about something does or doesn't line up with Jesus than so be it. There is no judgment there. If I'm telling you I think you are wrong then that is my thought not God's. Only God knows truth and right and wrong and what those really are.
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2 comments:
i cannot imagine living life without passion. and sharing those passions. and i don't think anything or anyone should hold you back from what you believe.
you're awesome.
Awesome seem a bit dramatic. I do think you are rather cool though.
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