Exploring Interests

Everyone has different ways of looking at things, at doing things and at exploring things. Some people like to pour milk into their tea before taking the bag out, others insist on removing the bag beforehand, some people don't take the bag out at all. Are any of these people wrong? I should think not. They just have a different way of doing things.

This principle extends throughout every aspect of life, down to the finest detail. Even within larger 'cultures' there are massive differences, and these differences are all part of what makes the world such a rich and intricate place to live.

One of the topics I have recently been thinking about is how people profess their faith. I am a thinking person, and when I love something, irrespective of whether it be quantum mechanics or football, I read about it. I read, then think, then read some more, then discuss and then read again. I often don't come to a concrete conclusion because I just like to read and hear about both sides of the argument, and that's actually what I end up enjoying more that I enjoy the football itself.

Now for me to express my faith, all I need to do is read the Bible every day, pray and read books about the Bible, theology and other philosophical books to do with religion, morals, free will or anything pertaining to a higher being for that matter. I don't agree with it all, and I don't condone a lot of it either, but if I never read it then I'll never be able to connect with the average person who asks questions about 'Natural Selection' or any other topic for that matter.

But my way of expressing my faith is not the same as everyone else's. I have friends who see it as pointless to sit around and discuss things like free will, because they see it as inconsequential in the bigger picture of Salvation. The believe that if you accept Salvation, then you don't really need to do any more research but rather just serve people. For them they only want to be involved at a church, serving in the community and other people. That is how they express their faith.

Now neither of those is wrong, but I'd also say that neither of those is negligible within your life. You need to have both, even if you enjoy one much more, and therefore have much more of it in your life.

For example, I may sit around pondering the importance of historical context, but if I never help an old lady across the road, she's never going to see me as anything more than some 'leeching youngster'. Perception is as important as works in many cases, not all but many.

I'm on a journey at the moment, and the truth is that the further down the rabbit hole I go the more I realise that having a balance isn't compromise but rather wisdom. The balance doesn't have to be perfect, but without it you lose much of your influence, and that's what you need to make a difference.