Flexible part 1
I think sometimes we get our minds so fixed on something that we make issues more important than people. And if you've followed my ministry for any length of time you probably know that I think there are only two truly important things in the universe: God, and people. Love God, and love people. Love God BY loving people. And don't get me wrong, I know paying your bills is important. I know taking care of the earth is important. I'm not saying all of that. I'm simply saying that when it comes to disagreements with people I'd rather be kind than "right." And, again, don't get me wrong, there are some things we should not tolerate. There are some things we should stand up against. But when I was Ranting about how important it is that you believe right--because what you do flows from what you believe--I was also thinking about how UNIMPORTANT it is for me to CONVINCE you to believe that I'M saying is right. That has never been the thrust of my ministry. If you've found something that works for you... great. My "doctrine" doesn't need to believe ANYTHING. I think a lot of times we settle for less than what's available to us, and I think that's a shame, but I'm flexible. I don't need you to agree with me in order for me to love you. Which I think Paul was kind of saying in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." He was talking about meeting people where they're at. Not expecting them to be somewhere they're not. I know, for a fact, that I'm not for everybody. It took me YEARS to figure out some of the stuff I preach and Rant about. So if you don't "get it," that's ok. I'm cool with that. I don't think I ever have, and I don't think I ever will, try to convince somebody that I'm right and they're wrong. I generally excuse myself from anything close to religious arguments. Because I don't think arguing helps matters. Logan knows that I'm not going to argue with him about ANYTHING. It's just not how I roll. Like I said, I try to be flexible. Some things are a hard no for me. And I think that's ok. Because some things are a hard no for you. We all have things we feel passionate about. I guess what I'm trying to say is something one of the pastors at my old church always said: "Let's major on the majors and minor on the minors." Let's find things we CAN agree on, instead of fighting about the things we can't agree on. I think that's much more peaceful. And we know that blessed are the peacemakers, right? My point, that I'm trying to make in my usual wandering around hoping it all comes together way, is that LOVE is flexible. I don't want to quote the whole love chapter here, but I'll take 1 Corinthians 13:7 as my main verse for today: Talking about charity (which is love in action), "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Love never fails because love endures. Love doesn't demand His own way. Love takes what is presented to Him and loves anyway. He is flexible. We have--through the traditions of men--made the "gospel" very strict and rigid. But the simple truth of the matter is... God is love. And He loves you. Which means you can love Him. By loving people. We can let people be who they are and still love them no matter what. We can be flexible and help people learn and grow at THEIR pace. We can live a life of love that doesn't fit in a box!