Preconceptions

So I’m wondering about preconceptions….

And how often they get in the way of the work and love of Jesus.

Got thinking about that while preparing for Sunday evening’s message on spiritual gifts.
Not sure what your backgrounds are, but where I grew up it really wasn’t mainstream to think about some of the more “spectacular” gifts, such as prophecy, healing and tongues to be operating in the church.
People had preconceptions about what these gifts might look like when operating.
Didn’t like what they imagined to be the case, and built barriers to keep it away.

So it was that those who suggested that, perhaps, they might have experience with or received an measure of these gifts, tended to be quickly shunned.  Gossip was typically not very kind to them.
Those with the gifts often felt the shunning, of course.
Which led to become somewhat more rigid.
And they quickly developed preconceptions about what was going on in the minds and hearts of those who were feeling negatively towards them.

I happened to know people on both sides, and hearing them, it was apparent that neither were on target with their preconceptions.

Sigh!

If only they would have asked questions, and listened, prior to making judgements and conclusions.
Silly people!!
And… oh…
Whoops – might I be,
right now,
jumping to conclusions, or harbouring preconceptions
about them?

Ah,
it happens so easily,
doesn’t it!

So, I wonder – why do we let ourselves fall for preconceptions – for building up all sorts of ideas and images and stereotypes in our minds about other people and movements and groups and cultures?
Especially since most of the time, it seems, preconceptions are not the most positive.
At least that’s my experience.
Would you agree with that?

It seems to be so easy to do.
I wonder why.
Perhaps – could it be – because avoiding preconceptions means getting to know others – listening, conversation, shared experience, that sort of thing.
All of which takes time.
And in our rushed culture, we’re not often willing to “spend” that precious commodity.
Easier to hear a quick sound bite, or observe a short vignette in their life, and jump to a conclusion.
Form an opinion before we really know.
A preconception.

Yes, it’s easier.
So it seems.
But, in the end, is it -
- really?

‘Cause, it seems to me, preconceptions cause more pain than blessing, most of the time.
They cause more division than unity.
More struggle than peace.
And rarely do good things get done for the kingdom because of a foundation based on preconceptions.

Which leaves me to wonder – might that, in turn, mean that we end up with WAY more work to do and need to spend WAY more time at cleaning up  the mess our preconceptions caused……..  than if we’d carefully taken some time to  listen and learn and love in the first place?
Could it be?

What do you think?

Love to hear from you – drop me a note here, or on Facebook, or – the ol’ fashioned way – tap me on the shoulder.

See you at Church, Lord willing!
Pastor Ken

Advertisement