Conventional Wisdom part 1
I think one of the hardest things about "understanding" the upside down backwards economy of the Kingdom of God is that we try to make it fit into what we "know" to be "true." When, in truth, it is upside down and backwards. It doesn't make sense to the carnal mind. It can't. It isn't supposed to. Its a more excellent way, not the same old same old. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Let me say it another way: What is so common about sense? It seems like when we want someone to "use common sense," they can't. Or won't. Like people don't WANT anything other than what they've always had. Even if what they've always had wasn't that great. We get comfortable. Or comfortably numb. We settle for things. We accept things. And that can be a problem. Because what we allow is what continues. What we accept--or what we believe--is what we have. So sometimes when someone offers us something that we're not used to--the gift of God, say, or the love of Christ--it seems too good to be true. And conventional wisdom, "common sense," will tell you that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. There's no such thing as a free lunch, right? Another common saying. And it means if someone is willing to buy you lunch, its probably because they want something in return. And we think that's what love is all about. "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine." When really love is never about getting. Because love IS giving. Love says, "You're itchy? Let me get that for you." Period. There is no ulterior motive. Love doesn't HAVE a motive. Love IS the motive. Love is why we do what we do. We do it because its in our heart to do it. What's inside coming out because we are filled to overflowing with it. So let me quote my key verse for this Rant series: "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18). In other words, forget everything you think you know. Stop knocking people down to make yourself look better. Don't even look down on anybody unless you are reaching down to help them up. Let go of an eye for an eye. Let go of protecting yourself by putting up walls. I know... listen, I KNOW that once you get burned its hard to go near the fire again. That makes sense. To the carnal mind. But just because something happened one way one time doesn't mean it will happen that way every time. Just because you gave someone your heart (for instance) and they didn't take care of it doesn't mean that nobody ever will. But if you lock it up tight and refuse to stay open to love you'll never know. You'll miss out on what life is all about. Fool me once, shame on you... fool me twice, shame on ME is conventional wisdom. But when it comes to love... only fools rush in. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Because when you're following your heart, you WILL get to where you're supposed to be!