Things are either good or bad. There is no middle ground in my mind.
When I read the Bible it either says something or it doesn't. And it means what it says. You don't dismiss something as cultural. Neither do you read more into what's there than there is.
You are probably either good or bad in my mind. Which is hard for me because I'm a very loyal friend. When you disagree with me on an area that I see as black when you see it as white, or some other color, I really have to process that for a while. But I still love you--which makes it harder.
I struggle to understand the many stripes of Christianity that abound in this world. I'm quite sure that this isn't the way God intended for it to be. If everyone would just see the world like I do, than this wouldn't be a problem. We'd all interpret Scripture the same, the right way, of course.
I dislike this about myself--this seeing of things in black and white. Yet, I cannot change it. At at the same time I think I'm learning to be merciful. I have my husband to thank for that.
And I'm thankful for the grace of God. I'm sure that, because of the sovereignty of God, the grace of God is all the colors of the rainbow. And while I'm still not at liberty to excuse that which is so wrong in my mind, God is big enough to see the hearts and intentions of those around me. I'm thankful for his mercy--both for my colorblindness, and for people the world over who so desperately need, not for me to be judging, but for me to be loving--even when I cannot hope to understand them.
And I fear that this post will be hard for some of you to understand, unless, of course, you too see the world in black and white.
Yes, I SO get this.
ReplyDeletei see the world in a rainbow of colours but thank you for this post. i think it made it easier for me to understand those who see the world in the absolutes of black and white. <3
ReplyDeleteThat last line there....It must be true. Because I understand your post perfectly! :) And I love how you said that the grace of God is all colors of the rainbow. You made me smile today. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnd to add to my first comment, my Mom was one who was merciful, and saw everything with color, or at least mixed some gray in her perspective. So when I see someone else looking at the world in black and white, I tend to react to their "narrow-mindedness". Even though I am a black and white person, and agree with them. And your mom has shown me the example of how to not be in agreement with someone, and still be friends with and love them as well. In my mind, if you don't agree with my point of view, there is no point in us even trying to be friends. Does my comment make sense? :)
ReplyDeleteFor the what it is worth department. God created colors. Sin is black & white, and if it has gray it just means it has black in it. All the colors combined make white. If you take a prism and point a light at it, it splits into all the colors of the rainbow. The purer the light the clearer the colors will be. The closer to white it is the more colors you will see. (But maybe I missed the point completely, I just had to throw this in here.)
ReplyDeleteWell said, Lisl. Those of us who see in grey have our own struggles, I suppose. We are a bit permissive perhaps, watering down God's judgment and hence His mercy as well. The waters can get fairly muddy if we aren't keeping Him and His Word in focus, daily.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I rejoice in knowing that I can trust a God who is Sovereign. I don't have to decide at all. My conclusion is the same as yours. I get to love everyone as Jesus does and leave the rest to Him. Very freeing! amg
I really like this post. Candid confessions of a black and white observer of life. But with the grace to know that colors exist. I just really like this post.
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