Have you been born again? This phrase is so common in Christian terminology that few consider the shocking impact of this statement. Have you become immune to it through familiar usage? Nicodemus was right to be shocked and bewildered at this concept. The impact was not lost on him. It is indeed an eternal truth presented as a riddle and a mystery. Do you see all Christian doctrine as easily reducible to propositional truth claims? What then does it mean to be born of water and the spirit? What does it mean to be sifted like wheat and baptized by fire and die daily?

Do you think that people are generally doing their best? This may be a hard point to concede when you consider the evil and poor performance that you see in general, and that you experience in particular. But what is the alternative? It is judgmental to assume that poor performance is intentional or due to character flaws or evil motives. Ultimately you do not know the cause of it. I asked my Father to forgive my executioners because they knew not what they did. Can you extend the same reasoning to those who hurt you or others, that they may have no idea of what they are doing?

Are you a critic or an advocate? Have you noticed that people generally fall into one camp or the other in their initial responses to new information? Do you see it as an expression of intellectual sophistication to oppose and find fault rather than to support and show enthusiasm? This is a widely held view even if you have escaped it. What great accomplishments have come about only by opposition? If you want to get something done you need to have positive energy and vision. If you do you can expect criticism according to the perspective above, but do it anyhow.

Are you familiar with the idea of cheerleaders? They do not take part in the game, but they encourage those who do. If you are not a sports fan, you may consider this to be one step removed from something you don’t take seriously anyhow, but could there be a spiritual parallel? Do you have people you can count on to stand by you and encourage you in your hour of need? Isn’t this beneficial for you even if they don’t take on your burden? Who does this for you? For whom do you perform this vital task?