Naivity Scene

If my life was on display this Christmas, I'm sure some would call it a naievity play. I've swung from one form of naiveity to another, gradually learning to keep my eyes and ears open for what could be true.

Paul writes:
Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 The Message

My first take on these words was to throw out everything in my record collection that wasn't obviously God-focused. Over time I started learning to hear the wisdom of the Spirit in the voices I'd previously rejected. I've learned that evil can sometimes be found within as much as without. I've learned that suppression and stifling can be done in the name of purity.

So with that in mind, I'm keeping an open mind this Christmas about what God is doing in my community, in and beyond the Christian community.