During
my college days, when
I was a student of
science, my confusion
was rampant. I
went to my father, a
minister, and
explained my position
on Bible content and
its truth, based on
what religious
authorities were
teaching and science
was explaining.
His
answer surprised me --
and I paraphrase.
"If you want to
find your own truth
you must study all
your life, unless you
are too lazy. If
you are too lazy or
too busy, you will
have to take the
authorities word for
everything or become a
cynic. Why not become
your own best
authority and find
your own answers? Some
answers will be the
same as yours. Listen
to the authorities,
read from the
authorities and then
make your own choices.
For each of us have
the choice based on
our own intelligence
and needs. Just
remember not to force
others to your
beliefs. Simply
share ideas with one
another."
These
words let me out of
the jail of
conformity. From
that time on I thank
all of those who added
to my knowledge and
some who added to my
beginning a more
spiritual trip unlike
anything I had
known before.
I
fail daily to live by
what I have learned.
But now I am much more
aware of that failure,
and far more aware of
the glorious things we
see around us every
day. If we are
looking and listening,
with our ability to
see behind the facades
of the human race, we
have far more chance
of this earth
surviving.
I
have a sign on my wall
above my desk that
says:
Suffer
as long as it makes
you happy
I
do not remember who
gave me that thought.
I printed it out in
large letters. I need
it before me everyday
to cuss it out,
suggest I need another
fifteen minutes, and
then attempt to meet
the challenges of that
day.
