Black & White or Gray?

Black and white, or gray—which is more to your liking?  For me the answer continues to change, and I imagine that it might be changing for you, too.  Let me see if I can explain…

I’m that person that loves clear boundaries and directions.  I love a step-by-step recipe or a knitting pattern with no mistakes.  I want a well-written story with twists and turns along the way, but that ends well.  I want to know what’s right and what’s wrong so that I can know the correct choice before I even dare make it.  Can anyone relate?

I don’t like to be wrong, ever.  It’s scary to me.

Being wrong has always meant a loss of some kind.  Either it was a missed question on a test, a bad grade, a missed opportunity, a damaged relationship, or a hit on my pride.

What’s at the root of all those?  FEAR.

I take comfort when I think the “lines” are clear.  I naively trust myself to choose correctly if I think I know the options and corresponding consequences.

But, life isn’t like that–at least not in adulthood.

Here’s my theory:  The older we get, the more life will present us with less black/white and more gray.  Grrrrrr…

So what’s the remedy?  For me, I have to exercise more trust.  If I have faith that God’s plan for me is best, then I need to step out each day courageously.

And, what’s the worst that can happen?  I can fail, but that only means I’ll have to apologize and then start again.

Ladies, I have to be honest with you.  Many of the decisions I made when younger regarding what I considered “black/white” issues were made erroneously.  Some of the values I was raised with I see now as more damaging than correct.  Some of the “truths” I was taught regarding Scripture aren’t even in the Bible.  I have been challenged over the years by others including my own husband (and daughter–talk about humbling!) as to what I believe, and sometimes I have had to revisit my convictions.

I’m now on a journey of reprocessing some of my old standards.  It’s not fun, at all.  I like the comfort of holding on with a clenched fist, but there is so much more freedom in loosening my grip and inviting God to teach me.

But, it’s okay.  I’m okay.

I am a new creation in Christ, and He’s got me in process.

I tell myself that I’m safe on this journey, even though it feels uncomfortable.

God is in the business of healing.

I am being made new from the inside out.

I desperately want to relax in the waiting and transformation.  But, I’m pretty lousy at that.

How about you?

Were you the young woman who challenged what you were taught at home?  Are you the one who is easily influenced by whatever book you read, program you watch, or podcast you listen to?  Do your lines hold firm, or are you one who vacillates depending on the situation you’re in or the people you’re with?

There are truths that are spelled out as black & white in the Bible.  A respect for and relationship with Almighty God is one, as well as belief that Jesus came to Earth and became the one and only perfect sacrifice for our sins.  Additionally, we know that the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us as we wait to spend eternity with Him in the place He is preparing for us.

Beyond these, everyday life can appear like a big, gray bank of fog.  Take heart; we get to rely on Him to lead and guide.  He’s promised that.

We can’t do life without Him.

Believe it!

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

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