Steve told me this line he’d heard recently. I’d rather be kind than right. I was like, “That’s it! It’s the perfect one!” I usually use, and overuse, “Live and let live” or, “To each his own” but this one, well this one was perfect. I’d rather be kind than right. It’s perfect.
I don’t have to tell you that so many hold being right, true, and having their beliefs affirmed over being sensitive, cautious, agreeing to disagree, thinking outside the box, being kind. Are we so insecure that hurting relationships is a worthy consequence to feeling justified?
Several years ago, a pretty significant relationship in my life was seriously damaged by, what I perceived to be, that person condemning me for doing something they deemed wrong. To me at the time, it seemed like they had the quote backwards: I’d rather be right than kind. And, like so many fights, it swiftly traveled to a place of who’s right and who’s wrong and was completely absent of the love that should have been present in that fight. The love that would’ve healed, helped us both to have seen each other’s side, and helped us move to a place of forgiveness.
Whether I like it or not, my worldview, the way I carry my religion or spirituality with me through this life, was seriously influenced by that situation. What’s the point of any of these hard life lessons if we aren’t changed by them? I was certainly changed by this one. I’d say it made me really religiously tolerant. (Tolerant. It’s more than tolerant. I do more than tolerate you (the collective you, of course!) and your differing beliefs. Tolerate carries such negativity. Let’s do more than “tolerate” each other.) It made me carry my beliefs a little lighter, with a looser fist, with more room for the I never thought of it your way but I think I agree with you.
We all have so much to learn from one another. If we could open our eyes long enough to see the truth others carry with them, what that truth means to them, and with that hold a great deal of empathy and understanding and graciousness too? Well, I think that it’d do this world a whole lot of good.
My favorite Bible passage is this one from Micah: What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
If it’s as simple as that, why is it so messy? I suppose we’re all too busy interpreting passages, needing to feel secure at whatever the cost, assuming we have the one and only truth. Many Christians live as though St. Paul said, “these three remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest thing is doctrine” when in fact he said, “the greatest is love.” I think we should take that to heart and attempt to live like that’s true.
Has religion been divisive in your life? Respectful dialogue encouraged below!
This speaks dear to my heart. I feel as if I get judged a lot because of the odd life I live and those who are most vocal about it on Facebook and Instagram and my blog are those I go to Church with. It's not that the Church says to judge, but I think people feel a sort of kinship when you share the same religion and they feel it gives them a right to help "guide you" or be a part of other parts of their life.
There's only one right answer to how we live our lives and that answer is between a person and God. I love the saying because even if we don't agree or understand, we all have the power to be kind.
how often "guiding" can be synonymous with self-righteousness and judgement! between a person and God, amen.
Ohhh how this speaks to me! My boyfriend and I do not see eye to eye on many issues, in the name of religion. He was raised in the deep South Bible belt, and I am more of a Northeast free thinker. It has been the basis of many, many arguments. And your quote is pretty much what I try to tell him time in and time out…we aren't called to judge each other, we are called to love each other. We are all in this together.
Thank you for this post.
I love when I read a post and it feels like you just typed out my inner dialogue… prob my favorite part about all of this blogging stuff.
Blah – I keep writing sentences & deleting them, this is a tricky & super personal topic. Bravo for writing. I'll try & collect my thoughts.
Amen. Let everything you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
I so agree. Agree times one hundred. I'm often disappointed by attitudes of the people I grew up calling family. They quickly judge and condemn the lives and decisions of others, and are so fast to place a certain sin above all other sins, forgetting what we learned as children: all sins are equal in God's eyes. It makes me sad.
so weird that you posted this because i've been thinking about it so much lately. the questions have been bugging me out, for real. after a recent conversation with my mom i'm pretty sure she thinks i'm headed for hell because of the people i believe aren't! i don't know a thing (except that your hubbs was one of the first people that really made me start to wonder!) but i agree with what you've said here. Jesus is love.
sometimes i'm not sure what to make of hell (if it even exists) altogether so, pretty sure your mom would call me crazy too!!
i think the questions are all apart of it and they just mean you're thinking about this stuff. it's good.
I love your favorite Bible passage and think it is now my favorite too. Pretty much sums it up on how to be a good human beig here on earth. Although I went to Christian schools until high school (and my father is actually a pastor), I think the best relationship we can have with God is with him directly, and churches can make things/passages/interpretations/beliefs too complicated. In the end, it's just about love, humility, and gratitude.
amen to all three of those: love, humility, and gratitude. i think when we hold so strongly to what we believe without room for question/shaping, humility goes right out the window.
I agree with this post along with all the women that commented above me. It is less about doctrine and more about love. However, love without any doctrine is no use at all either. We must know our beliefs and stand for them, but as you said we need to see the other side. How many times have I been misunderstood and how many more times have I misunderstood! But you must know what you believe in and if some one is so out right wrong and living in a world in which there are no consequences, discipline (from the Lord of course) and no sound faith in the living God then respectfully, of course, they should be told. My family and friends have changed me for the better just by letting me know what I do or believe is not right with God's word. And debates are not wrong as long as each party knows this does not affect how you see the other person and it may not conclude so simply. Faith, love, life and relationships are hard, but they're worth the time, effort and work. Love and be kind to others, but remember God's commandments as well, for He gave them out of love.
(And thanks for the post…I rarely comment, but have been a long time reader!)
abby, i do agree with you, but i think doctrine is so easily misinterpreted. i mean, look how many divisions of the church there are — all subscribing to the same book: the bible of course! if pastors and churches can't agree on what a passage means, how can we be sure? at least sure enough to let it be divisive and cause ruin.
of course, it's a slippery slope… both telling people they're wrong and also accepting everything and anything under the sun… i'm not sure where the happy medium is exactly!!
thank you for commenting!
Oh gosh, I couldn't agree more. My husband and I were both raised Catholic, go to church every Sunday, etc. But, I totally relate to "carrying my beliefs a little lighter" especially since my liberal views often clash with what is thought of as "right" in the Catholic church. I can't tell you how many times I have had this conversation with my husband, who is a bit more conservative than myself. I really struggle with the idea that it has to be 'all or nothing' when it comes to faith. I have come across people who just assume that because I am Catholic, I automatically agree with everything that our religion preaches. I have had to listen to more awkward, uncomfortable, and upsetting rants from my MIL (who is a very Conservative Catholic) than I can count, where she says some pretty hateful things, assuming that I would feel the same and agree with her simply because we are both Catholic. I just bite my tongue out of respect to her and try to change the conversation, but it really clouds my opinion of her in such a negative way. I've mentioned to my husband that I don't want our daughter who is only 7 months old now) to grow up hearing such hateful things. We want her to be accepting of others and celebrate the differences of others, rather than judge and tear people down. The Golden Rule is such a simple statement, but speaks volumes..treat others as you want to be treated. I could write so much more, but will stop here ;)Thank you for this post!
xx
Erin
i have some people in my life like that as well, and i just don't think we can change them (and i'm not sure it's right to even try to do so?) but you're right, it is so hard to think positively of those people. but then i feel i'm being just as judgmental as them… it's a battle, for sure. i'm with you 100%!
thank you for commenting!
Religion has become like politics in my life. I never bring it up unless someone asks a genuine question about it and is actually open to listening and not "correcting." I used to be active in church. I sang. I directed. I prayed over people. I loved my community. But when I graduated from college and left that specific community, I realized that it would be nearly impossible to find such a genuinely loving, accepting, open-minded, supportive, and (in my eyes) Christian place. I still kind of struggle with the topic in general because of people who want to tell me how I should feel or what I should do, but for now, simply BEING the best person I can be for others, no matter their religion, is what is working for me. Demonstrating the message of the Bible is more powerful than preaching it, I think.
YES. Your last line is a keeper, Lindsay. Thank you for sharing.
@Lindsay, your last line is so true! I say that to my husband all the time. As a Christian, more than anything I am required to reflect Christ's love!
Love this, Bridget!! Thank you for sharing. That's an incredibly simple and beautiful line. I recently had a similar experience with some hurtful consequences caused by long-time friend's "right" mindset over a discussion of doctrine I did not agree with. I wonder how differently our conversation would have gone had I encountered kindness. It's upsetting that so many who claim to follow Christ, overlook his greatest command to love people. Period. Just love them. Didn't Jesus go around loving those whom others deemed unworthy and "wrong"? It seems to me if we spent more time looking at how Jesus treated people, instead of battling over doctrines, maybe we would all get it "right".
I love your last line here, Becky. I may be wrong (oh, on many things, I'm quite sure!) but I can't imagine there's a better judge of your love for God than in how you treat and handle the relationships we he's put in our lives here on earth.
This. This speaks to my heart. Thank you.
This post really speaks to me, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
I've really struggled with my faith the past few years as I started realizing that my conscience didn't correlate with what my church teaches as doctrine on several issues. My church teaches that life (and God, and what He wants from us) is black and white. There is no room for wandering. But as I've gone through life I just CAN'T believe that anymore, and sometimes I feel "unrighteous" for feeling that way. It's been a very difficult struggle.
One thing that helped me incredibly and continues to bring clarity to my life is a quote by Carol Lynn Pearson in her book "No More Goodbyes".
"What if things are not always as they appear? What if, in the grand design of things, none of us finally is a victim? What if our Large Eternal Self actually agreed to certain general challenges that our small mortal self would experience in the service of profoundly vital understanding and growth? What if we are each in the correct classroom being assigned the correct homework, and what if the answer to the question on every test is to love a little more?
What if all pain can be labor pain? What if it's okay that there are so many mysteries? What if we are held in the arms of angels all the time? What if, strangely, all is well?"
The world would be such a better place if, when people disagree with one another, they decide to just love a little more.
that quote!! it's beautiful! the answer to the question on every test is to love a little more. to think of this world as a big classroom where, actually, all is well. so often i feel like i'm "not there yet" and anxious for something else (what else? i don't know) but to rest in all is well right now. grace for the present moment.
i love that quote. thanks so much for sharing it.
two books that have changed my life: Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli, and Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. I'd actually recommend the first before the latter (but both are great). it's all about how we try so hard to reach some sort of perfection that we lose sight of what's really important: just loving like God.
a story: when i was younger, we had an exchange student from Japan. she became like my sister. but i went to a church that told me because she was Buddhist, she was automatically going to hell. and as much as i pushed against that, no one would budge in their opinion. i didn't understand why they would condemn her and not love her. i just couldn't wrap my mind around that–she was a faithful person, and lived show loving kindness to all, truly one of the most amazing people i've ever met. the experience completely confirmed for me that we are only human; i think we try to fit God in a little box–but things aren't black and white. we can only look at things from a humanly perspective, which is so, so limited in the scheme of things.
i think if we all spent more time embodying love and acceptance rather than fighting against it, we'd all be a little happier 🙂 it's all about finding that balance, though.
i love that c.s. lewis. have you read great divorce? another good one.
i think your story is a common one – meeting someone who embodies all of the "christian characteristics" but isn't a "christian" in that they can't check the appropriate boxes. someone who isn't a christian based on where they were born/the family they were born into. while a lot of christians would disagree (as we well know!) i can't imagine those people are who hell is reserved for. not sure WHO hell is reserved for at all, actually.
thank you kristyn!
I know that time and time again I've been in situations where people are tearing each other down and ruining relationships because of their desire to be right. They will say it is all in the name of God, but it really has nothing to do with God, or with what they believe. It all has to do with pride. My question in all of this is the same as what you've written here: Where's the love? And even more, what the heck ever happened to UNCONDITIONAL love? Especially if you feel you're doing something in the name of Jesus. I don't believe that Christ was tolerant, but He was just and his love was without condition. The challenge for us (speaking as a Christian) is to fully understand what it means to love unconditionally. I want to learn that more than anything. Your reference to 1 Corinthians 13 is spot on. It's a verse that is so often quoted, but is rarely given serious thought. I can be an eloquent speaker, I can prophesy, be wise, have super strong faith, and I can give everything I have to others, but if I'm doing it all without love, it's meaningless. If everyone focused more on that, it would change the world and definitely the modern day (Christian) church as a whole.
Anyone would be hard pressed not to have their worldview shifted after experiencing what you did. I went through the same thing. I often ask myself how it's possible that someone could ever place their pride over their love for others, but I'm always answered with the reminder that regardless of other people decisions, I have the opportunity to love, always. I hold tight to my faith, to what I know to be truth, and have to constantly remind myself that all of those things are worthless unless I have love at the forefront.
Sorry if that's a novel ;). Thanks for sharing your heart.
pride. dude, we could do a whole slew of posts on pride in terms of religion, couldn't we?!
i liked your novel. thanks christina 🙂
Love this post! I have been struggling with some of these things lately. I was brought up Catholic and my husband and I recently connected with a Christian non-denominational church. We love it and have felt like our relationship with Christ has grown like crazy. But my parents? So not happy about it. They were brought up to believe that Catholic is the only way to get to Heaven. It's so disheartening on both sides. They are genuinely worried about my eternal life if I leave the Catholic church and I am just trying my best to find the place in which I feel the most connected to Christ. Tough all around.
that is so hard, barbara. especially seeing as both catholics and non-denom christianity believe the same book. why can't both go to heaven?! good luck to you as you figure out what to say, how to move through it all…
Yes oh my goodness yes. I had a dear friend – the kind of friend that was down in the trenches with me, you know? We shared our lives together, raising our kids side by side, eating dinners with each others' families sometimes as much as a few times a week, our husbands work together. It was a great friendship. But she could not deal with my differing beliefs. Could not accept it at all, to the point that she was repeatedly telling me of my sure ticket to hell. And let me tell you, that is not a fun thing to hear from someone over and over. So, after a while of it, and it becoming clear that this was kind of a deal breaker, I had enough. I was more that happy all along to accept that she saw religion, God, this world, all differently than I do, but she could not see any other option than to change me and what I think and believe. It's sad to lose a friendship over the gospel, which is something that should unite and inspire and connect. I still feel sadness over this, and it's coming up on two years ago that everything fell apart.
And so, WHY? Why is the premium put on the need to be right? Say you HAVE the truth, the absolute truth in your life. Wouldn't the great thing be to maintain and grow friendships built on love and generously give people the opportunity to maybe or maybe not, as they choose, come to agree with you? Because the funny thing about truth – it is true whether or not someone agrees with it. It doesn't need to be sold, it doesn't need to incite anger, it doesn't need to be force into someone. It stands firm and a person can come to it of their own volition – no coercion need.
Anyway, great ideas, and thanks for sharing. I obviously feel strongly about it, too! 🙂
katie, i'm so sorry for the loss of that friendship – i can't imagine how painful it was (and continues to be)… and it had to end over what?! i'm sure it's still shocking at times that your differences could be so divisive.
i like what you said in your second paragraph up there. it's all so true. agree to disagree and be agreeable. our truths shouldn't be so unstable that we become defensive if someone "threatens" them by simply disagreeing. right?!
thank you katie!
I totally agree about that defensiveness. That reaction, I think, must be fear based. Fear of being wrong, fear of losing the tight hold of what you have. And I get that. I do. And I find it so sad, because living so fearfully, well, it just seems really empty to me.
I've never commented on your blog before, but I loved this post and just had to say so. Thank you.
This. This post was beautiful. At the moment I am a little speechless while my mind reels in thought over times I have cared more about being right than kind. But to answer your question, I was raised Southern Baptist and saw all the hypocritical ugliness of it. I turned my back on it all for a long time. But when I had my first child I knew the miracle of God. So I love a God who loves everyone. Church on the other hand, has been harder to return to…
Thanks for this.
Having a child! That was nearly miraculous for me too. I too love a God who loves everyone. I just think so many of us (God-fearing Christians and the like) don't think God does love everyone. Or, even if they do, may not act that way! That's where it gets dicey…
Thank you Amy!
One of my dear friends, her father use to say the same line to her all the time growing up – "It is better to be kind than to be right." It has stuck with me since she shared that with me many years ago! I haven't heard it said before by anyone else, so it was definitely fun to see your post today with that line. Thanks for sharing.
I think I'd like her father!
I absolutely love this, almost like I have been trying to find the words to put to my way of being. I like to say "to each his own," all of the time. Why should I deny someone else their happiness if it in no way affects me? That just doesn't make sense. I grew up in a christian household with parents whose views were and are very black and white. I have had a few conversations with them about how they could be more open minded, but at the end of the day I don't want to argue about it. We are all entitled to our own beliefs but that doesn't make someone else's any less true.
This was a great post!
Doesn't make someone else's any less true. Amen!
love this. your blog is adorable! 🙂
This is a fantastic post, thank you. I feel like i have been on the other side of this than most of your commenters… At the age of about 13 I decided that I was an atheist. In my close group of girlfriends there were a couple of girls who were Christians, and although we didn't talk about religion and God a lot, when it did come up i would be 'that' girl being all eye-rolly about their beliefs, like i was somehow more mature than them because I 'knew' that actually God didn't exist. Like they were sooo naive, or something. It is something that I regret now, because I realise that their beliefs were their own and entirely none of my business and why did I feel the need to prove to them that I was 'right' – why couldn't I just let it go and accept that they believed in God and went to church and were happy in themselves? It is interesting how time changes things, because although I still don't feel that church and church doctrine etc is for me, I do feel that I have a relationship with God, and certainly believe. But it is entirely my own, and noone elses business, just like my girlfriends at the age of 13. And I would rather people were kind and not "right" about that too.
Sorry – garbeled!!
I'm quite sure I too have been guilty of feeling more mature or further along in my "journey" with my beliefs as well. Thinking, "oh, one day they'll see it my way…" It's like we must feel validated in our beliefs and the only way to do so is to assume (silently or loudly) that the other is wrong. It's hard not to do that! I still struggle w/ it. Thank you for sharing and glad you've found a place with God that works for you.
What a beautiful sentiment….I completely agree. In general, being KIND in your interactions is so much more important than anything. Thank you for the reminder!
Yes, being kind is better than being right. However, I do want to throw a comment in the mix. Christ loved, but not to the exclusion of all other things. He also came to earth to establish His Church and kingdom. When he went back to heaven he charged his disciples to carry on his work -"feed my sheep". I don't think feed my sheep meant just "love". The disciples were charged with spreading his word-eventually including the Gentiles. Non-loving to not include the Gentiles from the get go? No. Christ saw fit to do it that way. When you read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It isn't just a free zone love fest. Christ many times taught his doctrine and condemned when necessary.
So…….before I get bombarded with hate replies, I AGREE THAT TO AGRUE IS NOT CHRIST'S DOCTRINE! CONTENTION TRULY IS FROM THE DEVIL. BUT, CHRIST DIDN'T JUST PREACH LOVE. HE ALSO CAME TO ESTABLISH HIS DOCTRINE. So, take it easy on those who believe doctrine also has a place in religion. Each persons quest for truthful doctrine is their own and I feel bad for those who have been berated for it.
You're right, Stephanie. God is definitely not without condemnation and discipline. I guess I have a problem with man doing that job for him, though. Because, of course, establishing doctrine requires man (flawed man with all sorts of bias, presuppositions, issues, struggles, agendas, etc.) to interpret what doctrine means. I don't trust that we can do it right and exactly how God intended for it to be interpreted. Too many have used doctrine as a weapon. I'd rather leave that job to God. So if that means I'm going to err on the side of love and less on the side of doctrine, that's what I feel is right. I assure you though, I'm taking it easy on those who believe doctrine — i.e. saying virtually nothing to them! 🙂
p.s. sorry, I just read Abby's comment and your reply-Bridgette. I am LDS, and risking immediate deletion of this comment, I can't help but say this– Joseph Smith was raised with the Bible, in a God fearing home but trying to find a "religion to join" proved a problem due to the exact issue you are addressing in Abby's comment. He experienced the same quandary as you. You can read his own history, written by him, where he tells his story. Even if you take major issue with us Mormons, I implore you to read it. I think you would find it so interesting!!!! Can't hurt and can add more food for thought. It is found on LDS.ORG–just type in Joseph Smith History in Search box.
no risk of deletion of your comment, i assure you! and i also don't take major issue with you mormons – i hope you've gotten from my post: i take no issue with virtually any religion in so much as i still have my own rights and that includes my right to believe the way I do! i'm sure i would find much of your religion interesting and truth-telling! thank you for your comments, stephanie. truly! i think this dialogue is important and a good conversation to have!
I was totally thinking about this the other day, every one of your words resonates with me and I totally agree. Well said.
My mom and I recently had a "speak your truth" conversation recently about religion. The very thing that has turned me off from organized religion is the fact I was raised in a very conforming church. For years in youth groups or Summer camps, I was guided to feel guilty for my simple (as a teen!) thoughts or actions (aka gossiping about a friend). This engrained guilt concept made me shove religion to the side. It took little time for me to realize my liberal beliefs which made me black sheep of the family. Back to my conversation with my mom…my ongoing connection with religion taught me to be empathetic, love others, accept the differences and spend my life in an attitude of servitude. So did religion suit me well? for the reasons listed about, yes. However, I took all those positive qualities to believe in all the "non-traditional truths". aka Marriage Equality, Immigration reform, Obamacare, etc. So, in those ways, the influence of religion has made me a "non-traditional" believer. However, that exact influence has made me a f'n awesome person. ::)
guilt. guilt is so huge with religion, isn't it? i wonder why that is. was that man's attempt–from the get-go–to ensure that they keep us within certain boundaries? because i don't think guilt is from God. there's this incredible essay i read once about guilt and religion and of course i can't remember what it was called but if i do, i will share!
your last line made me lol. keep on keepin' on!
Really good food for thought, Bridget. And while I probably fall on the more conservative side of this topic, I believe HUMILITY in our faith can cover a multitude of shortcomings in our human ability (inability!) to love one another.
humility! amen, friend!
This was SUCH a good post. I have too much to say about it–it would be a novel. I think you expressed it very well. I have a sick feeling in my stomach hoping my family will react this way (kindness over being right) when some news comes out in the near future.
amy, wishing you all sorts of peace and love with the reveal of your future news!!! i do hope kindness wins 🙂
I think this is definitely important in religion but possibly even more important in every day relationships. I grew up in a home where being right was valued above all else. My parents are really well educated and things were just really black and white (especially with my mom). I went on to adulthood with many of those same tendencies. Right was always best.
When Steve and I got engaged we had some, um, difficulty while planning. His mom was putting more of a hand into things than I wanted. I was pretty specific and she would just sort of plan and execute certain things without talking to me about it. Steve and I got into a fight about it. And I was like "THIS IS NOT HER WEDDING. I SHOULD GET TO PLAN THIS STUFF. THAT'S JUST HOW IT IS." He turned to me and said, "You're not wrong, it is our wedding. But I'd rather marry someone who was more interested in being nice than being right." And then I was like crap, he's totally right.
Steve grew up in a home where being nice usually trumped being right and he has taught me a lot about being reasonable and kind. It colors my entire world view now.
Bridget, I think we need a print of that quote, a simple print with a reference at the bottom to that Micah life verse that I just discovered we share, and I would hang it everywhere. I think it's a lesson that everyone needs to know.
I'm finishing up college in hippie, liberal Eugene Oregon, in the middle of an otherwise pretty conservative state. I know many people who are not Christians who have given me the side-eye, because they correlate me with the harsh, anti-gay, hell-fire, judgmental Christianity that seems to be the stereotype of our faith. That style of Christianity doesn't jibe well with gay rights or environmental activists, and people just assume that I don't support those things when really I do. They so want to be right that all Christians are judgmental and harsh and unyielding in their beliefs that it can be hard for me to even tell people that I can't meet for a study session because I'm going to church. I make up excuses because open-mindedness and acceptance can be hard to find sometimes.
Sorry for the sort-of selfish rant, but the sentiments in this post are ones that I think people from all walks of life should read and remember. We can't all be right (and should we even be?), but we can all be kind.
I completely agree with you and the sentiments of this quote and the others in your repertoire. It's tricky, sometimes, when people won't even consider tolerating other people's beliefs or ideas. On the eve of a two week family vacation, I appreciate being reminded of the importance and value of being kind first.
Hi again-Bridget. (hope I got your name right this time)
I never comment and I mean NEVER COMMENT but I am drawn in by your comments and would love to discuss more. Your second comment made me think again about Joseph Smith. When asked by a newspaper what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believed he wrote "the 13 articles of faith"–you can find them on lds.org but #11 says "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
Another thought-God has used men-rather prophets (imperfect, varied backgrounds, etc) to teach his children and also call them to repentance from the beginning of time. Moses, Noah, even Paul who clearly said he struggled with "a thorn in the flesh". Basically Holy, God fearing, albeit imperfect men. I don't know why the idea of a prophet in our day and age seems impossible to many. Is it because we think men in our day can't be holy and righteous and do God's will without inserting their political agenda's , biases, etc? I believe we need a prophets guidance now more than ever. I don't know how much you know about the our church but we do believe in prophets and apostles in our day—-Christ still being the head of our Church but it being directed by a prophet. Christ will come back, take his rightful place in his kingdom, right all wrongs and be the perfect judge but until then he sends prophets to guide as they did in Biblical times. A prophet won't necessarily be popular with the world-heck, they weren't popular in Biblical times. Maybe today there is a lot of pick and choose religion because it feels good, relieves guilt? And guilt—Yes, its huge!!!!! Anyone who has walked the earth has dealt with guilt-not just church goers. Its because we all have a conscience. In the Book of Mormon-a prophet named Alma spoke with his son who had committed some serious sins and he said "And now my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance." I love that because I think that is how God is. If we sin-not if-when (b/c we all do) he wants us to use Christ's suffering to repent and then get on with life!!! He wants us to be happy more than anything. Another scripture from the Book of Mormon states "Adam fell that men may be, men are that they might have joy".
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love, love, love this post!
thought of this clip when I read your bit about tolerance http://www.upworthy.com/watch-a-lesbian-attack-the-word-gay (check out 0:39-1:05 specifically!)
nice one bridget! tolerance all the way. organised religion makes me nervous, I can admit it. but I also see lots of beautiful parts to it. love your quote. kindness is never overrated. x
Great post Bridget, you have a way about you that is so inquisitive/deep yet easy-going and understanding at the same time—love that! 🙂 For me, the word 'religion' has always had a negative connotation, I suppose because of my background. Probably also due to the fact that I'm the farthest thing possible from what I imagine a religious person is! I grew up under the impression that people who believed in God lived under incredibly strict standards. I imagined it was all very lifeless and guilt-ridden. So not something I relate with..
Upon experiencing grace and the real Jesus, I knew I wanted THAT and I wanted to be someone who offers it to others. Which is why I love your quote. Because by offer, I really mean it. To me, the Bible is really clear that that Jesus didn't come to condemn the world.. mainly because it straight up says it. And because of that, what business do I have condemning another?? I think that doing things for the sake of 'being right' often dances very closely with the line of condemning people (judgement), which doesn't do any good for me, for others, really for anybody.
So if I have any pressing thing that I desire to speak to another, my rule of thumb (ok let's be real, the BIble's rule of thumb) is that if it hasn't started with a true, real love for that person (you know the patient, kind, forgiving, selfless sort of love), then I just have no business opening my mouth. If we all started with a love like that, I imagine things wouldn't get so fuzzy, so difficult, so backwards. So even though I have/am/will fail miserably a thousand times in my measly attempts to love people, I also aspire to that great, kind, celebrating, encouraging love 🙂
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LOVE that! Would it be bad if I printed it and put it on my "always right and always rude about it" bosses desk?! 😉
Another good quote: I'd rather people know I love them before they know I'm a Christian.
I think we need to aim to be right and kind. I don't think it is an "either/or".