Kristen Henderlong

Why is it so challenging to try new things or listen to knew ideas? Especially the older we get? We don’t want to step out of our own comfort zone.

I have had several interactions with other adults who tend to act pretty stubborn in their thoughts and actions.  I am guilty of this. I can definitely have a “know it all” mentality sometimes.  Whether it is based on my own experience or something I have read.  This includes being judgmental and having a strong opinion.

I have been on the other side of a “know it all” person and it’s ugly.  It doesn’t feel good at all.  It makes me feel small.  I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want to make others feel small. I am learning there is so much power in having an open mind.  Although it can feel so risky.

What is risky about it?  Anything uncertain feels risky and uncomfortable.  We want to know so we can be prepared.  We want to know so we have a defense.  We want to know so we can have the upper hand.  We want to know so we are not humiliated.  All of these things seem to correlate with pride… right?  It’s all about protecting oneself, feeling established and untouchable.  If I have all the answers, nobody can tell me who to be and maybe nobody will see my flaws.  If I have all the answers, nobody can judge me or see me vulnerable.

What if we could be so confident and strong that we didn’t have to defend ourselves at all?  What if we knew so deeply who we were that it didn’t matter if we were right or wrong in the face of disagreements or misunderstandings?  

Maybe it’s not about knowing everything, it’s about knowing ONE thing.  Or MAYBE it’s not about knowing at all… maybe it’s more about believing.

The most freeing experience lately for me has been releasing my bondage to certainty.  Has it kept me from seeking and learning and growing? No.  It has given me peace and joy in the process of trying to know more, but accepting that knowledge is as infinite as God and I don’t need to achieve it all or understand it all.

I think about all of this and it uniquely highlights a part of why the story of Jesus is so incredible … because the God of the universe (who KNOWS all things) decided to become a man—like us— to meet us where we are in our broken humanity.  We (humans in general) hated him, questioned him and eventually killed him because we thought we knew better.  All along, Jesus never fought back.  He was confident and all knowing and never pushed it on anyone.  He welcomed the sick, the lost, the rebellious and the outcasts and offered healing rather than knowledge.  He offered acceptance, forgiveness, love and renewal rather than opinions and judgement.

Something else that is interesting— from the historical accounts of Jesus recorded in the Bible— the only times Jesus showed any slight version of judgement or rebuke was against prideful and pompous people.  He never passed judgement on those who were humble, confused or ignorant.  He spoke truth and set the record straight with a Kingdom minded perspective, rather than a worldly, selfish perspective.

In the Garden of Eden,  Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen.).  The very first “sin” recorded in the Bible had to do with wanting knowledge over trust.  The Tree of Life was also in the garden.  Why did they choose knowledge over life?  

I ask myself this question now sometimes.  Am I choosing knowledge or life?  Because of Jesus, we now have the option to choose life again.  Jesus is the Tree of Life.  He is the vine; we are the branches (John 15:5).  We cannot bare fruit without His life.  

The world tells us that knowledge is power.  But the real power is in recognizing our lack of knowledge, being ok with it and believing in the one who knows all things.

Ultimately, at the end of the day, your knowledge does not define your status or your identity. 

Remember: You are Loved.