Do you understand that there are two ways to form a group? One is around a common enemy, and the other is around a common interest. You would be correct in thinking that the common interest is better, but common enemy intimacy is the faster and easier method. Can you think of any groups that are animated by what they are opposed to? Most political parties and campaigns? This method is used because it works, but you don’t have to let it work for you. Resist the easy path and put in the effort to build the trust that true solidarity and community require.

Do you know what you worship? This may sound like an obvious question, but I had a conversation with a woman at a well and told her she knew not what she worshipped. I went on to affirm worship in spirit and in truth. Do you know people who worship money? They may not describe it that way, but if they live their lives as if nothing is more important, they don’t have to go to weekly meetings for it to count as worship. The same principles of devotion apply, so this is a fair description of the most important thing to any person. So what is most important to you?

How well do you see? You are fortunate to live in an age where most vision problems can be corrected, starting with corrective lenses. You accept 20/20 as standard normal and expect to see that well. But this is not what I was talking about when I challenged my audiences about having ears to hear and eyes to see. There is a level of awareness and understanding that goes beyond taking in a visual scene. Have you ever had the experience of not being able to ‘see’ what is right in front of you, until someone pointed it out?

Are you convinced of the existence of eternal truth? Do you have a complete comprehension of it? It is okay to answer yes to the first question and no to the second. This is the best answer. The deny the existence of eternal truth is to reject ultimate reality, but to claim complete comprehension of it is arrogant. And so you see in a glass darkly, knowing that one day you will see face to face. Until then you may see yourself as on a journey, driven by the tension between the knowledge you have and the complete picture you desire.