Acceptance

I started off by asking, “What do statistics and biblical interpretation have in common?”

The answer is, both can be manipulated and interpreted to explain, justify, or make a point.

So be careful what you may read or hear about statistics, data, or the Bible.

All interpretation comes from perspective. One’s position or walk in life influences everything one thinks, feels, and believes about the world being lived in.

Female and male perspectives will be different. Teenager and adult. Black and white. Gay and straight. The list is endless.

Now believe it or not, this difference is O.K. Instead of disputing, disregarding, and rejecting another’s perspective why not embrace it?

Stop fearing the unknown. Stop fearing what makes us uncomfortable. Stop thinking and telling others how they are wrong because their perspectives and ideas are different.

Why?

One, what gives anyone the right to believe their “ways” are more right than another’s?

Which leads to number two. God forbid I might just be wrong. What I have been taught and thusly believe may be all wrong.

All one needs to do is look at our American history. There are in fact two. There is the history taught in schools for generations which many believe to be factual and true. (For generations all American history taught in our schools came from historical scholars who were white and male. It is only relatively recent this scope has broadened to historical scholars being female, minorities, and varied ethnicities.) There is also the real, authentic history which until recently was buried, denied and lied about in order to protect and preserve the “American” history.

Why is it that we run and hide and deny ourselves the truth?

Already mentioned is fear which can be the biggest obstacle in confronting the truth.

We also deny ourselves the truth because it takes time and energy to sift through all the layers to get to the truth. The truth challenges us. It can totally knock us off of and out of our perceived comfort zone. The truth is not easy to digest and accept. And yes, the truth can certainly hurt.

But this is what truth does because truth is real!

Since we all struggle with and deal with truth, some common ground must be sought and accepted.

What is this common ground? Acceptance!

Accepting others! Accepting ourselves!

Truth starts with acceptance!