In His Likeness w/ AntTBri

As a youngster I watched very little television, I wasn’t allowed to listen to any secular music, go to the park, mall unattended, hangout over friends houses. I was busy learning how to care for others, going to church, reading or singing. So more times than not I find myself asking questions that people burst out laughing at thinking I’m joking or being funny in terms of music, fads and events that occurred in the late 70’s-80’s. It puts me at a disadvantage and creates some awkward moments because No I really don’t know what they are referencing or talking about. Most times, the conversation is my initiation or it informs me of the music, fad, dance or scenario. What’s old school for most is my something new today. Google and YouTube catches me up or brings me up to date, plus my nieces and nephews keep me current and I’m ok with that. The disconnect or problem occurs when someone refers to back in the day or a time my age should easily recall and there’s this blank stare or crickets. If you’re not me I can see how that could prove to be hilarious and unbelievable at the sametime. Exposure, experience and education enhances our capacity to know…it determines what we value and hold dear to heart. I don’t regret how life groomed me, for the most part I’m able to celebrate the differences yet I often ponder how isolated, individualized and ignored one can feel when they’re not in the know.

A lot of what people know or have experienced in life and love as the normal occurrence shocks me. Some of it is scary, mind and heart boggling; not as an indictment but in reference to my inexperience or ignorance to its existence. In the same way, is the person who doesn’t know of life and love in God. Our mention, talk and reference of Godly psalms, precepts and principles have no reference point for them. They could feel lost in translation, judged, rejected and disappointed that there is yet another thing affirming they aren’t in the know. Could this be why millennials turn us off? Why the LBGT community tunes us out? Is the world laughing at us, doubled over in hysterics because what we’re saying seems crazy, unreal, and like a joke? Is it fair to assert The believers basic understanding of the love of God shocks the unbelieving’s reality? Where is their Google or YouTube step by step orientation? Should we repackage our discipleship initiatives?Are they or we even willing to ascertain that we’ve missed or failed to experience the love of God even though its been readily available? Is there a proactive prayer we should be praying? Are we even thinking about the depth of each other’s know?

Unlike me, there are some who will never ask “what are you talking about” when they don’t know or have a reference point to what or whom we are referring. It is my hope that we won’t assume shared experience, education or expression based upon perception. For reasons only God can give I’ve lived and loved sheltered, kept and hidden from certain aspects of cultural influences. The plus side is I can still appreciate the newness of experiences and I will forever be a student servant that is learning and coming into truth. The downside is you that are of the knowing have to adapt and address your inability to live and love outside of your current narcissism. It’s a growth opportunity for us all. There will be times as we journey on, the roles will reverse and I pray that we’re understanding, patient and proactive in granting grace, time for growth in these areas. We’re helpers one to another, sharing life and love…it’s important to remember we need each other’s expertise to make an awesome team. There is a whole big world out here that we are trying to reach and win. It may better serve God’s purpose if we provide opportunities of growth and not presumptions about what people should know. Holy Spirit help us Think outside of our own reality. May we pray like Paul https://www.bible.com/bible/1588/eph.3.14-19.amp. May love continue to pursue us until we come to know God’s heart toward us. May our interactions with others reaffirm that we’re accepted, valued and deemed worthy~AntTBri