Bombarded by philosophies that satisfy the surface, I flee to something deeper at the risk of seeking purpose

In the secular world there are so many views and philosophies on almost any topic. From a philosophy of education, to one of how to discipline your child, to Politics, Economics and sexuality. There is a systematic approach for anything you can think of, backed by theories and studies- providing solutions, that are debated, re-evaluated and debunked for some new findings and popular wisdom down the pipe. There are always opposing outlooks to everything that can cast enough doubt to cause one to wonder how sound any piece of solid wisdom really is. This flies in the face of the nature of how people enjoy to have something tangible to grab onto; An answer, a solution, an outlook that defines and spells out how to do things, and makes heads and tails out of it.

When I listen to Christians talk- it is not that much different. The topics change but the philosophies continue and add onto it theology, doctrines and dogmas. We can get so passionate and debate so many topics. Predestination, God and his view on females, which political party God agrees with! Even things like the "right way" to present the gospel (Good News) to those who have never heard it can become formulas. I am guilty of enjoying plenty of those topics, to think about and discuss, but in the big scheme of things, do we miss the point?

The book of Proverbs has a running theme of seeking out wisdom & knowledge, however as 1 Cor.8:1 points out "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." We are still told to seek knowledge and wisdom in the bible, so this should not be taken out of context. The warning here is not to stop learning, but to be aware that a certain pride can come with thinking we know things. We need to realize we don't know everything and that a growing person will change their views as they learn new things. Keeping humility in range is actually very wise. Don't hold too tightly to things you think you know that you block yourself from learning something new. Don't box God in to what you think you know about Him. He is all knowing and you are not! Leave room for Him to grow your mind. Even Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God & man.

I can't count the number of times I've seen people become so sure of themselves and their own understanding of God and his teachings that out of passion for being right and putting their head knowledge out there, they not only block themselves from wisdom by disregarding any thoughts that don't fit into the boxes they have already made of how God fits into everything, but to top it off they will steam roll over individuals to make a point.

Love makes a difference. "Love wins." You could always make a great debate with someone on any topic and not convince anyone of anything. But if you present your life in actions filled with love, there is no debate in response to that, yet it speaks louder then head knowledge. No defense gets ready to respond to love. It gets right to making a difference in a concrete way that an argument cannot! Love builds up. "God so loved the world"... that He cut to the quick! He gave something unconventional.

A top notch psychiatrist can give some good advice, but they cannot heal a heart. We can have faith in a Philosophy or trust in the very One that knows everything, yet chose to Love the very ones that would not love Him back. He gave His only Son. Now that is powerful. "Forgive them father for they know NOT what they do." His Sons words to the ones that nailed Him there. Words of forgiveness to broken humanity. He knows what we need. We need forgiveness. We need healing. We need redemption. We need his Help! And He knows it.

And He gives it.

This song is my cry of reaching out to the very One that goes beyond the surface.

Bombarded by philosophies that satisfy the surface
I flee to something deeper at the risk of seeking purpose
How can I hang in this environmental state of being
When everything I'm striving for it's nothing that I'm seeing

Won't you take my heart,
won't you take my soul
Won't you come and make me whole again
You, You've got what I need
and you never retreat
Unto you I will concede

So help me God
To put my faith in you
So help me God
Before I come unglued
Call it my addiction
I can't get enough of you
So help me God
To put my faith in you

Infected by the skin I'm in that's starving with desire
And Jesus ain't the latest thing to come across the wire
I throw myself in mercy for I am the chief of sinners
But daily taking up my cross
has brought it's share of splinter's

You're there when I call
And you're there
when I fall
Even though I
don't deserve it all
You, you light my way
Through the night
and the day
And from you
I will not stray

God so help me
This is my soul's plea
I'm desperately devoted
I can't get enough of you

Cause you are the one I love
Cause you are the one I need
Cause you are the one I'm seeking
Cause you are the one for me

-DcTalk

Where do I fit in this puzzle, what good are these gifts?

Have you ever looked at yourself and said "God why do you care about me?" Often I've been in those places of feeling like anything I can offer to God is pitiful. The more I know how amazing He is, sometimes the easier it is to feel like what I have to give is pathetic.

I love how the Lords prayer starts with "our Father" though. The concept of a parent is a powerful one in understanding How God does view us and what He thinks of our efforts to please Him. As a parent this has become more obvious to me with kids of my own.
God does not look down or snub His nose at what we offer up to Him. He takes our expressions of love and treasures it the way a parent treasures the gifts their child brings to them...
"whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:21b- in the words of Jesus.
When my daughter was little I got dandelions often, and this song speaks of what that means in light of our relationship to God. It always brings a smile to my face. I hope it encourages you too!

In a field of yellow flowers,
underneath the sun,
bluest eyes that spark with lightning,
boy with shoes undone.
He is young, so full of hope,
reveling in tiny dreams,
filling up his arms with flowers,
right for giving any queen.

Running to her beaming bright,
while cradling his prize.
A flickering of yellow light,
within his mother's eyes.
She holds them to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe,
clasped within her very marrow,
dandelions in a vase.

She sees love, where
anyone else would see weeds.
All hope is found.
Here is everything he needs.

Fathomless Your endless mercy,
weight I could not lift.
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
what good are these gifts?
Not a martyr, or a saint,
scarcely can I struggle through.
All that I have ever wanted,
was to give my best to You.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
You see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to You.

-Five Iron Frenzy