By RaeLynn DeAngelis
Many of my friends have lost both of their parents, which makes me treasure time with my mom all the more. Since my mom lives several states away, many of our conversations take place over the phone. I’m grateful for technology that allows us to stay connected.
During a recent conversation, I realized that the following day was the two-year anniversary of my dad’s passing. We spent some time remembering all the “God winks” surrounding his death. Jesus was letting us know my dad was okay. From there, mom talked about how I was her favorite child. (Just kidding!) No, but we did reminisce over special moments we had together when I was growing up.
I thanked my mom for witnessing her faith to me over the years and for teaching me to have an open mind concerning the things of God. My grandmother had an open mind too. I’m guessing it started with her.
Mom had many quirky sayings when I was growing up. One of them guides me to this day. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
We can all relate to feeling uneasy when a Christian leader teaches something that doesn’t line up with our traditional beliefs. But instead of tossing it out as irrelevant or false, we should first measure it against the backdrop of God’s Word. That doesn’t mean we pull out one verse and build a theology around it. It means that we measure each teaching against the entire backdrop of God’s Word as well as His character revealed through the life of Jesus.
Friends, there is NO BOX big enough to contain the one true God. He is infinite! He is bigger than all our beliefs combined. The Lord is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. He is first and last, beginning and end. He is beyond our wildest imagination and will continue to surprise us… if we let Him.
God does not change like shifting sand. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. However, our understanding of God and His Word will change the longer we walk with Him. The Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). This means that we can read the same verse over and over and learn something new each time. God is multi-dimensional. When we keep an open mind, we learn new things about our heavenly Father. Our minds expand and our beliefs mature.
No one person, denomination, or doctrine has all the answers. Each has been given different pieces to the puzzle. It is only when we come together and share what we have learned that the picture of God becomes more complete.
Yes, we need to be cautious. And yes, there are false teachings out there. But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Look and listen through the lens of God’s Word and be mindful of God’s character. It is always wrapped in love.
As we diligently seek the Lord, study our Bible, and glean from other believers, we will see the many dimensions of God. Don’t stop learning, don’t stop growing, and don’t miss out on the incredible mysteries God has yet to reveal while we are still on this earth.
Sweet sisters, if a teaching rubs your long-held beliefs the wrong way, toss the water… but keep the baby.
“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:9-12).
“The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:8-9).
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:11-13).
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