Friday, August 22, 2008

Spiritually Superior

The other day I received an email video that I had seen before. I know you are thinking, "So, what's the problem with that?" Well, it isn't a problem, but I had seen it about a thousand times before! Seriously, I get this email video over and over from different people (and sometimes from the same people who have sent it to me before). It seems there are several emails that keep finding their way to my in-box. The funny part about the email of which I speak is that I have seen it over and over, yet people continue to send it to me with a note attached saying how they love this particular video or how they just watched this video and thought it was so wonderful they wanted me to see it. I want to scream : "I have seen it people, a thousand times over, I have seen it - This is NOTHING NEW!! Where have you been??? Anyone who hasn't yet seen this video has been hiding under a rock!!!".

Don't sit there and act so spiritually superior - you have had that same thought before too and you know it!!!

I was thinking about this and it occurred to me that we are the same way when people share things with us about Jesus. Have you ever been in Sunday School and heard someone state the obvious?? Something that is obvious to you, but has maybe just occurred to them (or maybe the Lord has just revealed it to them). Don't we tend to think that we are on a higher spiritual plain than those who seem to "know less" about the Bible or about God? Don't we sometimes want to say : "I know that! I have known that for years! This is nothing new - where have you been? Anyone who doesn't know this already must have been living under a rock!" OR, what about when someone misquotes the Bible, do you stand ready to defend your title as "Bible Scholar" by correcting their error??? OR what about when someone mentions a verse from the Bible that REALLY isn't IN the Bible??? (IE. "The Lord helps those who help themselves" - nope not in the Bible). It is at those times that we tend to want to 'set people straight' by blinding them with our vast knowledge of God and the scripture.

The other day as I was griping to myself about receiveing the same email over and over it occurred to me that sometimes we need to hear the obvious - AGAIN. Maybe we get just a little too high and mighty and need to be reminded of the basics of the Christian life. Maybe God sends those who are not as spiritually mature to help us see that our arrogance is ugly in the sight of a Holy God. Maybe I keep getting that video email because it IS worth watching AND because I never really got the POINT the first 500 times I watched it. Maybe it is time we realize that Christians come from all backgrounds and are at different points in their spiritual growth AND that is as it should be, as God intended for it to be. Maybe we shouldn't be so quick to think ourselves superior to those who are "less mature" in their spiritual walk. Maybe they are the ones who can teach those of us in the "dry bones crowd" a thing or two. Maybe.

11 comments:

Eddie said...

Well daughter, you had me baffled for just a minute. I thought well, she's really ticked at getting this email 500 times. Then I thought well, I get ticked at the same thing. Then you unload, by saying Perhaps, Just perhaps, we need to see those over and over again because we didnt' get it the first time. That's an excellent Word. I will think that through hopefully the next time I receive an email for the 500th time. Your tops and very loved. Dad

Hollie said...

OK, it has to be the "cardboard testimony"!! I do love that video but have received it a million times!!

Earen said...

Have a wonderful weekend friend!

Mommyluann said...

I chuckled when I read Hollie's comment. I've sent that one myself..or well maybe i posted it..anyway, I get it alot too! Good word again Miss Beth.

Cheryl said...

Ok, I thought the same thing as Hollie!
But you and I have the same 'siesta' mind today! When I wrote my post this morning, my thought was, this is so simplistic....do people really need to hear this? But then I thought about how many times I've had to relearn lessons and my prayer is that it will encourage someone!
Love ya!

Anonymous said...

I can honestly say..The only time I pull out my "Bible Scholar" is when people..try to give me some crazy verse in the bible about how wrong Interial Relationships are, and how Im going to hell! Then you bet, I pull that Golden Title right out!

Other than that, misquote on!

Rochelle said...

Okay... I have got to see this video... I'm feeling left out! :)

Alana said...

I think if you "grow up" in the church (as I have) this can especially be a problem. I definitely have these thoughts from time to time. I'm thinking God must feel I'm missing something from it if He sends me the message again...

Kelly S. said...

Guilty!!! Especially over a bible story I have known or heard over and over since childhood. I so easily forget His Word is alive, and He can reveal new things....mysteries, when I am open to recieve, if He so chooses.
Forgive me Lord.

ocean mommy said...

Hey Girl!!!

First, this post was great.

Second...

We missed you so much this weekend. It was incredible and I would have loved to experienced with you. :)

ocean mommy said...
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