What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?
OK.
Here's the thing.
I wasn't totally sure what a "doctrine" was so I just googled 'biblical doctrines' and found this site that lists them. Ten of them.
So I read the list over and say to myself, "OK. Pick one. Which one do I want to understand better? And what am I going to do about it?" I mulled that list over for a good 17 seconds then wondered if there's another, easier list somewhere. So I went back to google and clicked on another page. This one. Which seemed freaky even though it probably totally isn't. And then, when reading through info at the third site I went to (here) I said to myself, "Really, Jane? Don't you have enough on your plate this year? Really? Do you really need to understand one of these doctrines better? You made it 48 years without even knowing what a doctrine is... you're getting an internal organ removed, you're transitioning to into the empty nest years, you're planning a huge trip, you might be buying a vehicle, you're considering a new housing situation, really? You want to tackle a doctrine right now?
And know what?
I don't.
A few weeks ago, I was lured into a debate because I thought it was just going to be a conversation regarding the age of the earth. And how it affects my faith and what I believe about the Bible. The person I was chatting with got his boxers bunched because I truly don't care how old the earth is. It doesn't affect my faith at all.
After much jumping and fussing he said again, "I don't know how anyone can believe that earth is only {some number I didn't care enough to remember} years old, like the Bible implies. Science has PROVEN beyond doubt that the earth is {a much bigger insignificant number} years old. Anyone with a brain knows that."
To which I responded, "I believe in a God who created everything in His time and His way. That God made me and loves me and wants me to spend eternity in Heaven. He sent Jesus to die for me. REALLY? That's all that matters. Simple. It SO doesn't matter how old the earth is."
And tonight? After spending the first part of the evening with my parents at Ikea and the second part of the evening walking with Carolyn (whose dad passed away 2 months ago) and visiting Rose (who just had her knee replaced) I don't think I want to spend time thinking about/learning about doctrines.
These questions are making me think about things and promise to do things that normally I wouldn't bother with. And sometimes that's a good thing.
But tonight I'm drawing a line.
I will not participate in this question.
And I won't feel guilty about this decision.
If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?
The person who knows me the best (my mom) always says "don't be so hard on yourself". And yes, she is right. And what will I do about it? Same thing I've done all my life. Listen to her then forget and be hard on myself regardless.
Three things I'm thankful for:
1. Ikea meatballs.
2. Brisk evening walks.
3. Knees that are healing.
Shalom,
Want to read something? Try this. It's the first chapter of a book a blogger just wrote. Read it. And be thankful for the childhood you had.
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