Why Did This Surprise Me?

A long time ago I stopped reading articles in the newspapers and news magazines that have anything to do with Christians or Christianity. It used to be that when I saw something like that, I'd be glad to see it. But after I read it I would almost always find that the information was way off. After being disappointed time and time again I decided to not read them anymore. Or, if I did read, I'd not let myself get my hopes up- kind of expected the article to be off base.

I think the bottom line is that people who aren't believers just don't understand those of us who are. But if you think about it, it makes perfect sense that it should be so. Isn't it what we should expect?

If we truly have been given the gift of faith by the Lord- wouldn't we expect those who have not received the gift to misunderstand us and our faith? If the fear of the Lord is in fact the beginning of wisdom, why should we expect those who don't fear him to have the wisdom to understand him or us? If the things of God are foolishness to the world around us- if the message of the cross is foolishness and offensive to those who don't believe- if spiritual truth is spiritually discerned, why should we expect others to "get it?"

So, the next time I read something in the secular media that portrays believers as misguided or misinformed, I'll try to remember to rejoice- because by God's grace I have the ability to understand something that the person who wrote the article doesn't- not to my glory, but to God's glory.