DISCOVERIES

It is funny how in life you can look at something hundreds of times and then on one rare occasion see something you never saw before. It was there the whole time, but you never noticed it for one reason or another.

So in the midst of some moment of pure clarity the discovery takes place. And you get so caught up in the experience the world around seems to grow silent.

This is all wonderful. And it can truly be life changing at times, depending on the drama that unfolds in the process.

What can be challenging is in being able to appreciate when a discovery is earthshaking and profound and when it is just another moment of meaning we were meant to understand. Which can be so important if you are finding out something that is often a matter of common knowledge.

This often happens with those who are new to the faith. Every time they learn something new it excites them and they want to share with others.

It is nice to see them inspired and enthusiastic, but for the more mature saint it can be a tad wearing on one's patience to listen to somebody constantly telling you what you already know. Trying to avoid crushing the person's feelings can be a challenge.

Doing so in love and not being mean spirited can be even harder. I remember once when this problem existed in this one church.

There was a member of the congregation who was new to the faith. And he was rather mature. So when he felt inspired to share they didn't try to discourage him.

Unfortunately, he was not a learned man or gifted at public speaking. Plus he spoke very slowly in a very monotone voice.

All of that was no problem in terms of things like bible studies or prayer time. However, it does create difficulties when the person wants to speak during a church service.

In this case, it became an almost every Sunday event of him droning on with something he felt God had showed him. I had reason to move on later to a different church so I never heard how the pastor dealt with that situation.

All I do know, is that as we learn we should always be willing to listen. Is God showing us something for our benefit alone or for us to share with others.

Answering that question with the heart and not the emotions can be quite a challenge at times. Hopefully one we honest do for the right reason.

But if not, at least God is able to share his true regardless.