In today’s culture we’re taught to have our own opinions, and voice them consistently. We have a “right” to tell others what we think, and often we end up being more close-minded because of it.
I admit I struggle not sharing my opinion with the world, but I’m much better than I used to be. Turns out the world still goes around when it doesn’t hear what I think about everything.
Unfortunately, we seem to be more of an entitled generation than ever before, and because of that, many of us don’t live with an open mind.
I heard a sermon recently from Pastor Kevin Shorey about this very thing. His point was that we aren’t fully living if we’re not doing it with openness. But that openness needs to be led by God’s Word.
He shared three principles we need to be open to:
We need to be open to other people.
Can you think of that one person who grows you? You know, the one who you see walking towards you and you’re trying not to lock eyes so you can turn and run away? What if you took a moment and talked with them even when you didn’t feel like it? That’s what Jesus would do.
[Tweet “If we’re to be the body of Christ, we need to act like Jesus. “]
Jesus did it all the time – when he was tired, hungry, and felt alone. He was full of compassion on those striving for his attention. Instead of hiding, he brought people to the hiding place.
When the disciples told the kiddos to go away, Jesus had a different plan. He made those kids an example of what is required to get into Heaven – have faith like a child.
We need to be open to receive counsel.
If we’re not teachable, we’ll stay stuck in the same rut we’ve been in. When there’s a big decision to make, we need to seek wise counsel. Shorey says, “Don’t just get an opinion. Get counsel from someone who’s been there.”
I remember asking God for a mentor several years ago. I was hungry to change. When He answered that prayer, I wasn’t sure what to think. All of a sudden, here was this woman making all these suggestions. But I was so eager to learn, my heart remained teachable.
Making that decision to listen to wise counsel led me to losing 145 lbs., dealing with the past of my sexual abuse, learning who I was in Christ, and more. Though it wasn’t always easy and pride reared its ugly head a few times, my desire to change outweighed my desire to pretend like I knew everything.
Just yesterday, as I was sitting with a new mentor, she revealed an area in my life where I needed to open my eyes a little wider. I didn’t see it the way she saw things, but her perspective helped me see that maybe I needed to step outside of my comfort zone and go in another direction. A different view from those we respect and admire is often what we need to keep going in the right direction.
[Tweet “Counsel + Accountability = Success”]
We need to open up to the Word of God everyday.
These first two points mean nothing if we’re not growing in our relationship with God. We can’t offer love to others or know how to receive wise counsel from others if we don’t first know what God is telling us in our daily walk with Him.
Scripture is key to living a full life. You can’t move forward if you’re not led by God.
2 Timothy 3:16 says all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. It doesn’t get any better than that, my friends.
Here’s to living life with an open mind, open heart, and open Bible.
I’m excited to announce the premier of The Kevin Shorey Show on the Generation Now channel on Roku. Check out the details and mark it on your calendars. You’ll laugh, possibly cry, salivate over apple pie, and be inspired by a man who loves the Lord.
[reminder]Where in your life do you need to be more open? [/reminder]