Teaching Moments

Today, I can't remember how it started, but I answered some questions about the Bible from my teenage niece. I'm always kind of surprised at how direct children can be with their inquiries, but, I always welcome it. I mean, they could be asking some loony weirdo, some ill advised friend, or watching TV. She asked me if it was true that men wrote the Bible. I answered, well yes. God didn't send lightning bolts down and write it. But, as Christians, we believe the words were inspired by God. I added, of course man isn't perfect, and we just have to have faith that God inspired most of it. The conversation then took a more practical turn: "Well, then is it OK to be friends with people who aren't Christians, or don't believe anything at all?" she asked. Well, I said, the reason usually say "Don't be unequally yoked" or hang out with nonbelievers is because, often you may find yourself in situations that are uncomfortable or undesirable for you that conflict with what you may believe. I gave some examples such as friends wanting smoke, drink, or hell rob a liquor store (not to far off from the truth nowadays). As a Christian, I pointed out, you wouldn't want to do any of those things or they'd conflict with what you believe putting you in an awkward position to choose, or even the wrong place at the wrong time. I quickly added, but that doesn't mean you can't talk to, work with, or be acquaintances with people who believe differently than you. Belief is a choice, I explained. And it's one the individual has to make; it can't be made for him/her. Belief without choice is just slavery. The conversation then took another turn...to the Holocaust and Hitler, and why good men did nothing for while. But I won't get into those details. Today's post is kinda a cop out compared to the other ones I know, but I write this blog. So, I say it isn't. Moral, kids are our future, just trying to figure out this f*cked world we've created for em. God bless em.