“Keep asking questions until you get answers” were words recently spoken to me that meant so very much. You see, for nearly a year now I have been experiencing a persistent problem with one of my eyes, and despite various exams and trials of medications I still do not have clear answers as to what is going on. On the day those words were spoken to me, I had just come from a specialist appointment which once again left me without any concrete answers. Without any hope. Shortly after arriving home, my Optometrist had called and she ended the conversation by telling me to “keep asking questions until you get answers…you should not have to live with this”. Thank you Dr. Klass! Her words gave me such hope, and reminded me that it is OK to ask questions and to be persistent. When we are struggling with a situation or experience, it is OK to gather knowledge, to seek answers, and to be courageous in addressing our concerns. It is OK to ask for second opinions, and to seek truth as we try to solve problems and increase our understanding. I really needed this important reminder for more reasons than one.
“Her words gave me such hope, and reminded me that it is OK to ask questions and to be persistent. When we are struggling with a situation or experience, it is OK to gather knowledge, to seek answers, and to be courageous in addressing our concerns. It is OK to ask for second opinions, and to seek truth as we try to solve problems and increase our understanding.”
As a community of faith people, there are many of us who like rules. We like the safety and comfort of the black and white do’s and don’ts, and struggle with the grey. We like the ‘thou shalts’ and tend to feel good about ourselves when we can check off the boxes of obedience and adhere to authority. For many, there is much peace in this way of thinking; in not questioning, digging deeper, or raising questions about certain practices, viewpoints, or situations. And this is totally OK. But for other people, there is great comfort in thinking critically, gathering information, having hard conversations, and exploring the possibilities of the grey. These people were born to question, to dig deeper, investigate, and acknowledge. And that is OK too.
As we look into God’s word about our unique lives and ways of thinking, David reminds us,
“You are a child of God, you are wonderfully made, dearly loved, and precious in His sight. Before God made you he knew you, there is no one else like you” (Psalm 139)
and in 1 Peter 5:10 we are told that God made us with lots of different giftings that can really help one another. These verses are great reminders about how it is OK to be different and to think differently-because after all, God created us that way! We are however instructed to be careful about what we think, because our how we think runs our lives (Proverbs 4:23). In other words, we can celebrate thinking differently, but we must remember that how we think has the potential to really impact our life.
As I think about the global pandemic and related lockdowns, which has created a flurry of different opinions and beliefs, maybe you find yourself struggling to come to terms with the fact that your thinking may not be the same as those around you. Maybe you find great peace in the clarity of the rules and therefore eagerly comply with government recommendations; or, perhaps you find yourself questioning things and becoming frustrated as you dig a little deeper. Regardless of where your thinking falls here, there will always be opposing viewpoints, and this is important to mention because in a time such as this, people can easily be shamed or judged for having different views and ways of thinking. Further, having the personal awareness that your thinking may not be the same as those around you can also create self-doubt and internal shame regarding your own beliefs, which is equally harmful. Regardless of it’s source, we must try hard to never give power to the damaging feelings of shame…for those of us who have hope in the Lord, we are reminded that there is simply no room for shame in our lives (Psalm 25:3). So lets get rid of the comparison trap and remember that all of our thoughts and views have value, and they exist for a purpose which is likely far beyond our comprehension.
Lastly, I want to point out that as believers or faith people, we do not all have to agree on everything all of the time; after all, we were created to be different! In fact, learning from one another through respectful conversations can lead to some pretty amazing personal, spiritual, and relational growth! Can you imagine if there was only one type of church or denomination? Think of all of the people who would not feel comfortable, safe, or at home in a place of worship. Can you imagine if we all thought the same way? Spiritual conversations and resources (such as podcasts and books etc.), which often strengthen our faith and relationships in so many profound ways, would not even exist! And what if there was only one type of preacher? Some of us would arrive early on Sundays to sit in the first row, while others would be fast asleep in the back pews! Yikes! And lastly, we need people who think in a variety of different ways to make sure that societal and community injustices are acknowledged and appropriately addressed, for this creates a much safer and healthier world.
Today I remind you that it is OK to think different. More than ok. However we were created…let’s embrace that to the fullest, while being very careful not to shame others…or ourselves.
Wishing you good health and peace of mind during these challenging times,
Shawna