A Penny For Your Thoughts

We all have opinions. If you occasionally keep your opinions (and any other talk) to yourself, someone might ask what you're thinking about ("a penny for your thoughts"). In today's economy you might want to hold out for more money, or you may want to choose your response carefully, as the thought could be something negative about them.

On the other hand, if you are not asked --- and if you have strong opinions --- you could volunteer to put your "two cents worth" in. Folks I have known will more likely put several dollars worth in, and I am tempted to give most of it back in change.

Many people have enough knowledge about several subjects and can present such information in a way so as to regard them as teachers. What gives them that status is our willingness to trust that what they say is true. Whether in a formal classroom or a casual one-on-one encounter, it is a tremendous responsibility, because the one person is affecting other lives.

Opinion is as strong in the area of religion as it is in philosophy or politics. We can claim that the Bible is the final authority, but interpretation is the real player in this scenario. Some passages of scripture seem clear, some appear to be contradictory, and more than we care to admit are just plain confusing.

For this reason, if we believe in God, then we must believe that he desires for us to know the truth, in increasing measure, as we grow spiritually in this life. His truth (or direction) comes to us by someone conveying it to us (spoken or written) and by his still, small voice within us. The voice within is more often than not the confirmation or denial of the "truths" we received from others. We also will receive clarifications of sometimes difficult subject matter.

The really important thing is that we are not put here to convince others of anything. We may very well be vessels, used by God, to purvey knowledge or guidance, but we should never force acceptance of such information. He will turn the lights on when the time is right.

What we can do, though, is reinforce our belief with obedience. We must live each day doing his will, letting others see that he lives and moves within us. This obviously excludes any form of preaching or pestering. Since God is love, then love must be the primary motivator. In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." If your words and deeds are in obedience to your heavenly Father, the questions will certainly come.

Above all we must be patient in this pattern of learning and telling. We are to be ever aware of false teaching. That's why the apostle John wrote, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) Patience is the form in which God works his will in us. There is plenty to do while we wait. All things are to be done to the glory of God.
STEVE