Pratt: The tendency to complicate, replicate previous mistakes
People of our generation have experienced the most enormous change in communication the world has seen other than in its biblically described beginnings.
Early on, we are told the first humans had a direct, daily relationship with their creator: The account moves from Spirit creating concept, then matter. People argue over the progression as well as the intent of Creation – intentional, accidental or a combination of the both?
Stories abound in different areas and from different people groups. And one of many thoughtful questions will come from a child – “who created God?”
Somewhere around my fifth year of existence, I recall wondering about such questions as I regarded the Christmas gift of a dollhouse. This one did not have all the fascinating little objects to arrange and rearrange. It was made of tin, and the room decor was printed on the tin itself.
Disappointing. I wanted to move it around myself. Somewhere along the way I received an actual doll family – father, mother and child. That was better. My desire to manipulate the dolls awakened curiosity about how an unseen, powerful God related to humans. Yes, young children can think big thoughts.
In one sense the toys gave me an opportunity to “play” God, moving the human dolls from room to room within that tin box. Most important, it was the beginning of my awareness of the invisible, spiritual forces that existed – the very good as well as the evil. (I credit my dad with these early deep thoughts, directed not at my behavior, but at my understanding of God.)
Much of the literature down through the ages is an attempt to engage with these forces of our spiritual inheritance. I just started a bit early thinking about the world and how it was created because it was my dad's favorite theme, whether he was telling me stories from the Bible or describing the Earth sciences known at the time.
When I started school, my classmates didn't know what I was talking about most of the time, nor did I understand their games. Of course, I soon learned to conform a bit, but it took me a while.
Socializing was my most difficult subject in that small country classroom. I loved learning and reading, but hated recess.
So, what has changed? We still have people totally isolated from what we consider the “norms” who have trouble adjusting to life outside the protected insular home or even street life.
But we have a more serious problem with the effects on children and adolescents of constant exposure to information, much of it inappropriate, via our multiple electronic devices.
Here is one major truth: Life is a challenge and a mystery whenever and wherever humanity exists. As much as stories of faith may differ, one thing is constant – the need to know who God is and how we find relationship with the Eternal.
Our processing problem is not so much the “How?” but the “Why?” of life. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to focus on the process and ignore the spiritual aspect of our humanity. Even in the spiritual search, we have a tendency to complicate and replicate our previous mistakes.
That is why God sent Max Lucado to write in his unique style that clarifies what we try to complicate. He isn't the only good interpreter I read, but he distills the message simply and exceptionally well.
Among the best of his multiple books is “Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit.”
There are few books that I read more than once. Lucado's are the exception. He is a master communicator for “non-readers” – Example: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world. You cannot hear the Spirit if you are listening to them. You can't soar like an eagle if you are running with dumb sheep.” (Biblical reference: Exodus 23:2 NIV)
Beth Pratt retired as religion editor from the Avalanche-Journal after 25 years. You can email her at beth.pratt@cheerful.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Pratt: The tendency to complicate, replicate previous mistakes
