New ideas always carry with them an element of uncertainty. Natural questions that sit gently below the surface include the obvious and less so. Can I trust the person presenting the ideas? Do I really understand the motives behind the idea? What is it about the new ideas that I understand and have a knowledgeable position on? What do I know that I don’t know? What is it that convinces me?
Sitting on the world’s second longest beach, warm breezes, pounding surf, hazy sun, reflecting on the ideas that I have heard this week causes me to pause in many ways. I do believe in many of the ideas presented. I strongly agree but I am not sure what I have really understood what life will be like if these ideas are adopted. With reflection comes the certainty that my conviction is similar to Nathaniel’s of old. And I am getting the same response that he got Jesus – “You've become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven't seen anything yet!” (John 1.50)
I find that truth brings many surprises. Most of the time I find myself so hung up in the way that I see things that I first ignore truth, then deny its real power, and finally find myself fighting between the tension of conviction and the desire to do things my own way.
God invites you and me to experience the “truth” of a relationship with Divinity. It is am amazing offer that brings with it unlimited potential. We can experience. We can have a personal foundation to our faith. We can trust in more than just ideas.
Will this convince you or me? I don’t know. I find that I want to be a true believer. I want to have a consistent relationship. The “but” comes quickly – often I drift and slide to the left or the right. The awesome mystery of God’s offer lies in how the offer stands and remains open for us to take or leave. Be convinced.
