Do you see any connection between spirituality and humor? Do you think there is a negative correlation? In some circles there is an assumption that true spirituality is reflected in a grim and humorless demeanor. Do you know people like this? Do you consider them to be loving? Are you attracted to them or do you avoid them? There is a place for sober solemnity, but you are given more emphatic direction to rejoice.
What sort of world do you see? Do you see a world fallen and in darkness, under the control of the evil one? Do you see a world of beauty and promise and potential? Somewhere in between? Have you noticed that everyone can justify their position, no matter what it is? Do you see some people working for a better world? Of the world views above, who do you see as willing to put the effort into this task? Isn’t it those with a positive outlook who work to make things better still.
Do you know people with control issues? Would you describe them as loving? Certain qualities are opposites, and you may think of love and hate, but you could as easily say love and fear or love and control issues, because love sets free. What is your image of me? Do you see me as controlling? You have a doctrinal position that portrays me as pure love. Do you also have a functional image of me as controlling? Do you see the inconsistency? Which of these images is a stronger influence on your thinking and behavioral choices? Would those be different if you knew I was not controlling?
Have you suffered? This is not an experience that people apply for, but it comes none the less. Who can avoid it in the course of a lifetime? Some people make the avoidance of suffering a primary goal and some succeed more or less. Have you known such people? What are their characteristics? Do you find them to be shallow, full of themselves, and narcissistic? What about those who face their suffering and accept the effects of it? What do you see in them? Patience, wisdom, maturity, and a broken spirit and a contrite heart?
You have a profession of faith. Do you also live a life of faith? These things can and should go together. Are they the same thing? The ideals of the Christian faith are very high. Who can live up to them? And so there is grace to cover the difference between what you profess and what you live, and you know that you are not saved by your own works. You can know this and still resist the temptation to think of your faith as an abstraction. Which one do you think is real? Is there more substance in the faith your profess or the faith you live?
Have you ever looked for something and found it? Have you ever looked for something and not found it? Most people have had both experiences. Part of the nature of the search is that while you are doing it you don’t know how it will turn out. Are there exceptions to this? Can you imagine a search with a guaranteed successful outcome? You have my promise that if you seek you will find, so this applies to the Kingdom of God. How can I make such a strong claim? Seeking the Kingdom of God is not a search for a passive inanimate lost object. If you seek the truth, the truth will find you.
My word refers to seeing in a glass darkly before seeing face to face. Mirrors at the time this was written were of limited quality, but now you have high quality mirrors that provide bright accurate reflections. Do you see a spiritual aspect to mirrors? They reveal you as you are, but provide no judgment or commentary. But if you are serious about growth you can use the images they provide to judge yourself. Can the same concept be extended to people? Do you know people who provide a dark reflection back to you distorted by their own biases, deficiencies, and other issues?
Can you make a case from the Bible for solidarity within your own community? Can you make a case for solidarity with all humanity? Which do you think has stronger evidence? For you can claim the bond of common belief in your own group. Are you your brother’s keeper? Yes. Bear one another’s burdens. Love one another. In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Love your neighbor as yourself. And who is my neighbor? The one who showed him kindness.
Do you like to be able to plan confidently for a certain future? This is an illusion that you can live by in times of stability and affluence. You are fortunate if such times are the rule rather than the exception for you, but this has not been the case for the span of human history, and events can remind you that you can’t count on this going forward. You can mark your calendar with your intentions, but you should do so in humility, knowing that all your plans are tentative.
Do you have values? Do you believe in doctrine? Do you think they are the same thing? You can think of your doctrine as elements of the faith, such as my identity and events in my life. Values are less specific. They would include a commitment to honesty and freedom of conscience, free speech and equal protection under the law for all, a respect for the life and human dignity of every person regardless of any circumstances of their condition or belief. So do you see the difference between these things?
