Preconcieved ideas rob us of opportunities and blessings.

It was a week or so ago when my wife and I, on our way home from a work weekend, slipped by my son’s home for supper. It was an invitation we couldn’t resist, for we hadn’t seen him and his family for a few weeks, we needed time with family, and he was cooking BBQ. Oh man – his barbeque is perty dang good, and when he does it up, he invites friends and family over for a good ol’ feed.

This time was the same, for he invited extended family and co-workers over, and everyone was enjoying satifying thier tastebuds.

As I mentioned, he sometimes invites co-workers and this specific night a fella from the islands came over by the name of Kyle. To my shame, I had forgotten if I had ever met him before. It turns out, I had enjoyed a meal with Kyle a number of times previously at my son’s home, and had simply not paid attention.

After a bit of awkwardness, we started speaking of general topics in the news, and eventually landed on a topic of social change in our culture. I was anticipating one word type responses, for my preconceptions of Kyle that he was a man who stayed within his own world, not concerned with culture or world happenings.

Again, to my shame, I sat surprised as this bright young man discussed social paradoxes and troubling trends in the world with those in the room. He spoke of how those in the developed world worry about non-essentials and that in so doing, create a destructive environment, a society that is eating itself from the inside out.

He articulated his argument, spoke of concerns, and provided opportunity for responses. Again to my shame, I had assumed much too little of this young man.

And then he mentioned the name of Jesus. He broke the glass wall and the subject matter changed from temporary things to things eternal.

It turns out he had been involved in a church on the island, and after a period of time, questions arose in his mind that he needed answers to. Questions involving certain teachings that seemed prominent in the church. The response he got from the church leadership was one of dismissiveness. No effort was made to enter into a discussion, or to consider his questions seriously.

This appeared to have soured Kyle regarding formal church attendance and membership. He seemed to come away from this experience understanding that each church is to be content to stay in it’s own thinking, and not to be challenged with questions or concerns.

Eventually He spoke of believers approaching him, telling him that “God told me to tell you…” This rubbed him the wrong way, and I heartily agreed. It seems self proclaimed prophets and seers are everywhere, pushing hobby teachings that they feel the need to add God’s authority to, and to spread it to others to whom God has not yet talked to.

But something started to bother me. I understand that for the believer, if thier ears are open, God can and does speak to them, through the Word, through loved ones, through fellow believers or even through folks you meet when you are having BBQ with your son.

But does not the Word speak of believers declaring the need for repentance?

Luke 24:47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Do we not have the authority of God in declaring the resurrected Son, and that repentance and faith is to be exercised?

Acts 26:20 … they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

Attaching the authority of God to pet teachings seems to be missing the boat. Is it not the resurrected Son who is to be the focus, topic and Person that we declare to others by the authority of God?

Kyle seemed to connect with this message, and I hope we can have many more visits together in the future.

I entered my son’s home that afternoon tired, sore and hungry, looking forward to a feast of BBQ. I left renewed in my spirit, preconcieved ideas corrected, and with a challenge from a man who I will not forget.

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