In a world in which every day we are asked, in our consumer-based nation, to give opinions on service, experience, quality and much more, we begin to think of our own opinions as of utmost importance, when in fact, they are just that – opinions.

Something begins to happen though in Christian forums when we have deeply held “opinions.”  One easy example that most have opinions on is worship style.  It has to be choruses, or Hymns, or rock-style with laser lights, or acoustic with hand drums, or a choir, or a worship team, or one worship leader, or any number of endless perspectives of the ultimate worship experience.  It becomes about preferences rather than our gaze fixed upon the One we are desiring to worship in the first place.  We critique those things we don’t like, we offer our opinions (even if it is only in our heads.)  If we’re honest, being a part of those different offerings of praise and adoration may not be our preference, as we tend to like what we like.  Yet they very likely could be an invitation.  If our hearts’ desire is to extol the Lord, we will press in and worship Him, even if opinion tries to drown out that experience.  Another example of opinion cultivating a culture, can be as trite or as deeply felt, both now as in generations past, regarding which clothing is appropriate.  I remember several years ago, during an intensive internship training program, that a friend of mine shared her experience of going to a college with very strict clothing stipulations. (Of course I felt the regulations were strict, but again, that is simply my opinion.) She talked about only being allowed to wear skirts or dresses all the time.  Even in the coldest snow while having to wait outside, her best source of warmth for her very cold legs were leg-warmers.  Really, in 2005.  Not 1985, when leg-warmers were “cool” – or maybe they were never cool, but again, opinion.  Yet, due to an opinion, a perspective of a few, a whole group of students had really cold legs in the winter months.

I realize that opinions, such as those listed above, may be deeply held, but honestly there are deeper issues of conscience to wrestle through in our day regarding the expression that we desire to offer of Jesus in the world.  As one of my favorite (note my opinion) proclaimers, Chuck Pierce, has shared many times, “the only restraining force against evil in the earth-realm is Holy Spirit, and we house Him as living vessels, as the Church.” That’s why biblical unity is so powerful and so utterly healing (Psalm 133.)  This is His heart for His people no matter our scattered inner beliefs, which more often than not, are rooted in our experience, upbringing, social circles, affiliations, education, etc.  That’s why it is troubling for these to drive our “policing” of the Church or individual Christians, or the world for that matter.  So often there seem to be lines of boundaries so tightly around the gospel, it is hard to know if it could actually be Good News to the masses.  It is a sad day when Christ-followers take off the belt of Truth, that holds all things in place and use it as a belt of conformism.  The Gospel is inherently Good News to the poor of which we all qualify.  It is important to recognize that our God is unshakable.  His Word endures forever.  He doesn’t need our defense – He is our defense – a strong tower!

The truth is that there is a deeply-held desire given from God within each of us, underneath all of our own opinions, that we would with one voice glorify Jesus.  Honestly, we all recognize that there are things we differ in perspective with from others across the Body of Christ.  In areas that seem gray in our black and white world let’s be quick to listen.  The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, shines the beauty of the Light of God and directs us to the revealed and glorious Jesus.

One such doctrinal precept that seems to cause chasm is a very personal one: my calling as a woman, to proclaim, teach, share as a minister unto God.

There are those who would say women shouldn’t preach, or even, God-forbid, stand behind a pulpit.  I understand.  I actually grew up in a tradition that, while all of our missionary models were women, I would not have been able to be ordained.  Those types of things I understand and it’s ok.  I have personally had to wrestle through these areas as we all should regarding some of the seemingly “harder passages.”  In my heart, and yes perspective/opinion, there are specific passages that value my voice as a woman as well as across the entirety of the scope of scripture which reveals God releasing His people to be all that He has called them to be.  We are all one in Christ Jesus.  Yet if you have a differing perspective, that’s ok too.  We can all be about our Father’s business, partaking in His Kingdom as co-heirs with Christ offering that which He has revealed of His very own image through us.  We make our plans, and He orders our steps.  Let’s not fall into our need to be heard and our opinions validated so much that we forget the main thing.   Jesus said that the main thing, that we can choose (like Mary chose) is the greatest part.  It is to be at His feet, hearing His Words.  His opinions matter.  And actually they aren’t opinions, they are Truth.

Really, it’s ok when we differ.  It is about the main thing, the beauty of God revealed in the face of  Christ; Him crucified and resurrected, that is our foundation.  And we are all on a journey to seek out this beauty.  And He is Jesus.

photo credits: ihop.org  &  exploreGod.com