June 29

I was talking with some pastors this morning.  And the topic we were discussing was weariness, both in ourselves and in our churches.  And to tell you the truth, I have been getting more and more weary these last few weeks.  I even put on our church’s marquee the verse from Matthew 11:28, Come you who are weary – find rest.  And I think the specific area where I personally feel the most weary is finding the right words to say.  Many times people look to me to find answers.  And to tell you the truth, I do not have all the answers.  I don’t always know what to say.  I do not know many times how to express my feelings without wondering if I will offend somebody.  Everyone has an opinion out there and in today’s culture often people have turned their opinion into facts.  And if you say anything that is different than their opinion, they are offended or put off.  We as a culture are starting to discount other people’s opinions if they are contrary to our own.  Not too long ago, differences in opinions were a good thing and by debating and considering each other’s opinions we grew in our understanding of each other without conflict or dismissal.  We allowed differences of opinions without malice or ill will toward the other person.  Now people are so polarized this does not happen often.  And yet it is so important to see where people are coming from.  See things from another perspective or viewpoint.  Otherwise we will remain in conflict with little hope in sight.