Thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts on this. Your analogy really made me think back.
My experience with having questions about the church at all stages of testimony has been more like training for the bench press, lifting just fine but not knowing how to put the weights down safely. Knowing that if I try to lay them down, I’ll end up hurting myself in the process. Needing a little help here and there and using recommended, experienced people/resources to guide me through.
I guess with practice I did get better at laying them down more gently, but the weights kept coming and got heavier until there was no technique I could safely use to escape the hurt that came when they landed.
I really trained hard, and I was sincere in wanting to believe and cultivate my faith. But I truly believe that when your conscience is in jeopardy and the pain keeps coming, you have to know when to walk away from the bench. Not because you haven’t worked incredibly hard and been extremely vigilant and faithful, but because you realise it’s all lies and your world has collapsed.
Huge respect to you for knowing where your limits and boundaries are. That will serve you and your family well.
Two thoughts. First, thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. There are no easy answers to life’s most difficult questions and problems, we all have to wrestle and struggle with questions about life, purpose, faith and so much more.
Second. Although our paths may diverge on matters of faith and theology, I hope you’ll always consider me a friend… and keep reading my work 😂.
Your comments have sparked some thoughts that perhaps I’ll write about in the future.
I absolutely agree, and I recognise that my experience won’t be the same as others who have had the same answers to difficult questions.
One thing I’ve always loved about my time in the church, is that it taught me to be accepting of anyone regardless of their choices or background. A useful skill in all walks of life, and one that makes for great friendship. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for!
Hey Matt!
Thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts on this. Your analogy really made me think back.
My experience with having questions about the church at all stages of testimony has been more like training for the bench press, lifting just fine but not knowing how to put the weights down safely. Knowing that if I try to lay them down, I’ll end up hurting myself in the process. Needing a little help here and there and using recommended, experienced people/resources to guide me through.
I guess with practice I did get better at laying them down more gently, but the weights kept coming and got heavier until there was no technique I could safely use to escape the hurt that came when they landed.
I really trained hard, and I was sincere in wanting to believe and cultivate my faith. But I truly believe that when your conscience is in jeopardy and the pain keeps coming, you have to know when to walk away from the bench. Not because you haven’t worked incredibly hard and been extremely vigilant and faithful, but because you realise it’s all lies and your world has collapsed.
Huge respect to you for knowing where your limits and boundaries are. That will serve you and your family well.
All of the very best x
Two thoughts. First, thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. There are no easy answers to life’s most difficult questions and problems, we all have to wrestle and struggle with questions about life, purpose, faith and so much more.
Second. Although our paths may diverge on matters of faith and theology, I hope you’ll always consider me a friend… and keep reading my work 😂.
Your comments have sparked some thoughts that perhaps I’ll write about in the future.
I absolutely agree, and I recognise that my experience won’t be the same as others who have had the same answers to difficult questions.
One thing I’ve always loved about my time in the church, is that it taught me to be accepting of anyone regardless of their choices or background. A useful skill in all walks of life, and one that makes for great friendship. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for!
I look forward to reading along!