This morning during our Invitation to the Psalms Bible Study, someone pointed out a particular paragraph. It stated:
Too often we give up on a practice of faith if it does not instantly yield the desired results; and usually “desired results” means an uptick in our emotional state, a good feeling of some sort, a confirmation of what we already think or believe or want to do. The practice of praying all the Psalms regularly promises no instant spiritual gratification. But it can change our lives–deeply and forever. Michael Jenkins
As I heard and then reread this, I felt “convicted.” I thought about my own approach to finding daily devotional material. Is this what I’ve been doing, being lazy and wanting to “feel good?” To be honest, I’m not sure.
I do not “expect” for my daily devotions and scripture reading to make me “feel good” but it is likely true that I search out something which I already believe in, I choose materials that I believe that I will resonate with.
I like a challenge, or at least that what I’m always telling myself. Perhaps, that’s not entirely honest. Do I, can I withstand a challenge to my own beliefs as well as I expect others to? Can I honestly and openly listen, ready to be changed? There are some people with whom I enjoy debating, mostly because we’re at opposite spectrums and yet we respect and honor one another. I doubt that either of us expect nor are really open to being changed but I think we are very open to learning from one another.
Is there a difference between being changed vs. learning from “the other?”
Am I guilty of continual isogesis? I hope not, but I don’t know that I could clearly say that I am isogesis free. That said, I don’t know that anyone could be. We are all thoroughly shaped by our context–is exogesis even possible for humans? How can one truly know?
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