Responding to questions, especially serious heart and life centered ones, is problematic. It starts with the natural assumption that one’s perspective is equivalent to truth. Living one’s life with that assumption carries a degree of risk. When one imposes this view on others, it can be dangerous to both! It continues with the idea that I know better than you what is best for you. I find my assumptions in this are driven by age, perceived maturity, and many other reasons. As a result, I implicitly act as if you should live without the core of your God given humanity, namely freedom and choice. In the end, there is a subtle premise that permeates everything that I have found to be fatal. The premise is that “if only I knew” then I would change. If I give you facts, change follows. If I pass on, share, or force facts upon you, everything will be different.
Life whispers, reminding me that insights are the foundation of change. Change is driven by an aspiration for something better or at least different. The dilemma is that data, facts, and insights in and of themselves do not bring change! One may hope, as the psalmist did when he said that “I can’t wait to hear what he’ll say. God’s about to pronounce his people well, the holy people he loves so much, so they’ll never again live like fools.” (Psalm 85.8) Ironically, God went on to pronounce and the people went on to live like fools again.
Change always starts with an embrace.
In our embrace of our imagination, hopes, and dreams we begin a journey of change. It is our choice. Until the moment when this occurs, life goes on uninterrupted. As we gift ourselves with the embrace of the possible, we alter the direction of our journeys. We impact the step we are taking in the moment. We will know we have embraced change when we and others can see it through actions and choices.
Facts and insights are good for soul food. We determine what follows.
