Do not set out to convert the world to your convictions but rather to hold your own convictions inviolable against the forces of the opposition. – Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved, p191
A pastor of mine from years ago would often say, “don’t hang your convictions on me.” The rebel in me always appreciated that thought. Now as a parent, I need to remind myself of why I appreciated it.
There are some people who like to be told what to believe and how to behave. I’ve never been one of them. I often think life would be much easier if I were. I do have a tendency to be passionate about the things I believe. I think that is because I’ve wrestled with everything I profess to believe. I’ve never just accepted something as truth just because someone told me it was true. With my passionate tendencies comes the desire, especially as a parent, to “hang my convictions” on others.
Frances Roberts’ quote above speaks boldly of how I, as a rebel, accept and wrestle with truth. Those who try to persuade (“convert”) me to their convictions with words seldom impact me in a positive way. When I see someone living their convictions or at least wrestling and acknowledging the challenge of their convictions, then I take notice.
If life in this world were meant to be easy and comfortable, I don’t think we would know about a man named Jesus who, having the power of God to wipe out all who oppose him, allowed himself to be put to a gruesome death. Fully God, yes. But also fully human. Just like you and me. He lived by and was put to death for his convictions. Instead of hanging them on others, he was hung on a cross to impact not just our way of thinking but our way of living.
What are your convictions? Do you speak them easier than you live them? Are they self-preserving or for the good of all? If they are self-preserving, how far are you willing to go to preserve yourself and what will you gain in the end? Are you willing to live by your convictions for the good of others?
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:3
Need a little more inspiration? Listen to Fawzia Koofi’s response to the question, “you are willing to die for your job and for this country?” http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7374875n
Thanks, Lisa. I’m actually working on a two year program now, and am still not sure where it goes after that. I’ve really been thinking I’m not supposed to know the plan, because it’s more about obedience and following God’s will at this point. I’m sort of the type that would try to “make the plan happen” if I thought I knew what it was. I never thought about God not revealing the plan yet because I might not like it…but that would be wise on his part
Glad to hear you are realizing the plan he had for your program! That’s encouraging for me, and exciting for you!
I love this post, and love the “don’t hang your convictions on me” saying. In my early twenties, I was a philosophy major for a short time, and have always been an avid reader. Growing up, I think my voracious and varied reading habits introduced me to a lot of different things and ways of thinking. Some good. Some not as good. But that made me really think about a lot of things, and I often wrestle with things. I read a book for an Apologetic class once and the first few chapters were spent convincing the reader that it was okay to question things, that doubt was sometimes a way to strengthen conviction. It was the first time I realized how many people are terrified to question.
Hey Sarah – thanks for your comment.
Fortunately, usually, curiosity and questions take me to a lot of exciting places.
I remember reading your devo on christiandevotions.us (“What’s the Plan?”) in November and enjoyed reading it again today as I’m beginning to realize a plan God set in motion for me two years ago when I enrolled in a 2-yr program. At that time, I don’t think I would have liked his plan.