Standards
A young fellow handled the white seed pods of the dry floral display in our lobby, and confidently proclaimed, "This is not real."
Although I knew he was wrong, I wanted to hear his rationale, his reasons for his conclusions. "Why do you think it’s not real?’ I asked him.
"Well, just look at these white things. Anyone can tell they’re made out of paper." I looked at it and handled "the white things."
"Actually, this is a real plant, and these white things are seed pods," I responded. "It grows in the Martinko’s back yard. It’s called a ‘silver dollar’ plant. It’s pretty, isn’t it?"
Faced with my fuller knowledge, he acquiesced, and acknowledged that it was real. He then saw a practical use for the plant. "These white things could be used to make paper!"
"I’m sure they could be," I replied.
Over the years I have come to realize more and more that I do not have all the answers. Although I will prepare as best I can, I realize that I will not know all the answers at a given time. I also realize that all of us humans aboard planet earth are on a journey together, and that my fellowmen discover things that I haven’t discovered nor pondered yet. I can learn from them. I can change, if I’m wrong.
In other words, it’s OK to ask questions! It’s OK to say, "I don’t know," or "I haven’t thought about that." "Tell me what you have found."
I have also learned that people always have a reason for what they conclude to be true. Similarly, I am never "turned off" when one makes a false religious conclusion. I want them to tell me why they conclude the way they do.
If I can show the open-mindedness of a truth-seeker, maybe it will cause a similar response from the other fellow.
To seek the truth, there must be an objective standard, that all can agree upon, to measure the data that is gathered. That standard must be an accurate measure of reality. It takes a humble, unbiased mind to accept its answers.
We have learned much about our physical world through the scientific method of research, but science cannot explain the spiritual side of man. God, Who created both worlds for man to inhabit, addressed the realities in each world. God, Who cannot lie, gave us the Bible.
How do you respond to one who makes a disagreeable comment? Are you willing to "hear them out?" Can you show them to the Bible?
Invite your friend to be here!
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