It was a book by Marva Dawn who’s title now escapes me. There was a lot in the book that I didn’t necessarily agree with, but also a lot of challenging, thought-provoking…um…stuff.

“I think that we are, for the lack of a better word, defined by our focus. It’s what sets us apart from everyone else. It seems that we religious types are always latching on to something, some special piece of knowledge that sets us apart from those unwashed heathens down the road. Things like baptismal regeneration, keeping the Sabbath, tongues as evidence of salvation, predestination, etc. And since that is our focus, it is pretty much all you hear us talk about”.

How often we seek to apply an untenable ‘litmus test’ to satisfy ourselves on issues related to faith which have absolutely nothing to do with true fellowship with God. We are indeed so like the Greeks, ‘religious’ in every way, but blinded by that very fervor to the life and truth that is closer than our next breath.

May we learn, like Elijah, to truly ‘hear’ and tremble before that still, small voice.

I think that this statement very much is part of what influences me to be in youth ministry as opposed to adult ministry. In some ways (though by no means all!) youth have not yet made up their minds about many things. So rather than trying to correct wrong thinking, its a matter of starting the right thinking. Given, that’s not an easy thing.

Before long we start to resemble the medical community that can’t decide on what the best treatments for our ailments are. Indicative of this view is constantly church shopping looking for the best prescription. In actuality though a deep fulfilling life in Christ does not come from knowledge or PHD’s or bible studies ripe with Greek intrepretations. Rather a very child like understanding that all of us who are weary and heavy laden can rest when we come to him.