Catching Idle Butterflies

Cool! -- Crap!

I hope you don't mind two entries in one day, but I just had to add this:

Perusing the site this evening, I happened to see a sponsored forum called "Invalid Item" . I of course had to check it out.

It was set up by Farhana , a Muslim. Part of her intent is: “As a devout Muslim, I have a great interest in Christianity and have had many conversations with religious Christians.”

Just reading one thread swallowed me up. Each person, both Christian and Muslim, not only had much to say, but did so with passion and eloquence, but at the same time with the utmost respect for one another. Pretty cool.

In the one thread I read, I left two comments, even going so far as to add the forum to my favorites. Catching up on a few blogs several hours later, I noticed it had been updated, so I jumped back in to see what had been added.

Here’s where the “Crap!” comes in.

In those hours, two more threads were started, one on fornication, and the other on forgiveness. Both were started by a Muslim asking about what Christians believe on those two subjects. Now it wasn’t the questions, but the answers that made me go all wiggly inside (and not in a good way). Don’t get me wrong, the responses expressed my own thoughts on the subject perfectly as well as imparting knowledge I didn’t have a second ago.

I wanted to get out of there and never return.

Because I was jealous! Yes, jealous of someone else’s knowledge and writing ability.

What bothers me the most is I’ve been through this before. I’ve even written an article about it that is currently out on spec to “Light and Life Magazine.” (see "Selling Me Short"  if you want to read it)

I realized I didn’t necessarily make that a favorite to learn about Islam, or even more about Christianity, but to show off my own faith, my own knowledge. I grimaced when I discovered someone else had shown me up.

I call this tripping over pride. I am still amazed how quickly it sneaks up on me then throws itself in my path as I’m running ahead and thinking my life is going on exactly as God intends. In reality, I am merely filling myself up with all my good deeds and trundling along at an ever slower pace.

These little rocks God places in my path on purpose. It helps me to understand my shortcomings when they are still small enough so I don’t fall and hurt myself.

Much.

I don't learn and grow if I think I already know so much. God can't work with that.

"Then [Jesus] added, 'Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices." For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'"

Matthew 9:13

Will I go back to the forum? You bet. Will I comment? Sometimes. Will I learn something? I certainly hope so.

Because I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks much for reading! I wish you all a very happy Friday evening whilst I go and nurse my bruised and bleeding stubbed toe.