#OldIdeasHurt #ChangeYourPerspective #IgnorancetoKnowledge #MakeRoom #StuckOpinionsStink #UnalteredOpinionBreedsSnakes #IsThisStoryTrue #NewIdeasRefresh #ChangeIsCreativity #ListentoEachOther #LoveYourNeighbor #LoveYourNeighborsIdeas
One of the reasons we are tackling the “Bad Girls of The Bible” in our current sermon series is to tackle some of the Old Ideas that have formed our perspectives about women throughout the ages!
Every one of these Bad Girl stories is painted with the lenses of patriarchy and power. And every one of those stories has influenced the way we think about and position women – in society, the family, and our economy.
Here’s the thing about Old Ideas – they keep us stuck – in Old Ideas!
And those old ideas form the foundation of our opinions. And you know what they say about opinions….
Well, there has been a lot said about opinions…
Plato suggested that “Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance”.
And William Blake wrote that “One who never alters their opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.”
Dude, reptiles of the mind!? That scares me…
It can be equally scary, though, to be open to new ideas when the old ones are so deeply embedded. But it is often true (if you stop and pay attention) that those old answers, habits, and ideas aren’t really working the way you want them to.
Think Byron Katie’s wisdom about the stories that we tell ourselves… beginning with, “is this really true”?
Now – I get it – It IS hard work to see anew – to be in dialogue with other ideas, to open yourself up to a change in your point-of-view.
But I am here to tell you that doing so will lead you to a place of … knowing. And those serpents and snakes and slimy things going on in your head – they will be transformed into open-heartedness and creativity, the flow of new ideas, a deeper connection with your neighbor, and a healthier story for you.
Friends, letting go of old ideas – that will make the world a better place and make room for you to be renewed.
Catch up with last week’s sermon before joining us this Sunday at 10:30 for more Bad Girls of the Bible and some new ideas – because everybody needs a little sanctuary.
