Yesterday with a brother in Jesus at work, I had a fun time conversing about the interest in music we have in common, mostly about “progressive rock” groups. If you know me, you know that my love for classical music has taken over, so that is mostly all the music I listen to anymore.
Conversation about common interests can be underrated. I found it uplifting and fun. It doesn’t have to be about “spiritual” matters. While I don’t always see eye to eye with Rob Bell, or maybe more accurately, understand what he’s getting at, I do agree with his point about all things being spiritual in the sense of breaking down the sacred, secular dichotomy, a false dualism. And yet there are dualisms which we must heed. We are after all, not to love the world or the things in the world, in the sense of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. However we can appreciate all the good in creation, including human culture, apart from that.
Back to the subject conversation, it is good to be able to share one’s heart and mind with others. To listen. To enjoy their take and thoughts. It is nice to connect with someone like that, as I did with my brother yesterday. Something of “heaven” is in that. We need to be able to converse with others with our guard down, not being concerned about something stupid we may say, since we know we won’t be judged, but all is grace. Unfortunately this is more rare than we might imagine, a gift not to be taken for granted. Something to be cultivated.
Even as we seek to live and speak truth in difficult settings. Together in God’s grace in Jesus.
Ted M. Gossard
