"As useless as a photocopy of a Chicken McNugget"

“Theology” is what someone thinks about God, and it seems most people don’t like to have their theology challenged, even if it’s wrong. According to the Bible, Jesus was very specific about why he came: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)

The implications of His answer are far-reaching. You may think your purpose on earth is to write music, be the world’s greatest tattoo artist, or minister to the homeless, but in fact your job description is just like the next guy’s: To do God’s will. The rest is just detail.

When we understand that doing God’s will is the only thing that really matters-that it’s the only thing that’s truly nailed down- then everything else takes on a kind of fluid value and should be wrestled with.

Some years ago I read a book called The Saints Among Us, where author George Gallup identified living men and women who were universally revered for their godliness. I believe Mother Theresa was in the group. So was Gandhi, Billy Graham, and others.

As the author studied what these everyday saints had in common, one discovery was that the closer a person gets to God, the more tolerant and accepting they become of people whose beliefs are slightly different from their own. In other words, their theology changed over time.

A believer’s theology should constantly evolve. As a musician, those dynamic spiritual lyrics you penned five years ago may or may not be as true for you today, because, hopefully, your understanding of God has matured. If your beliefs still look and sound like they did when you were younger in the faith, you may be “saved and stalled.” Allow God to push you, stretch you, and grow you, until the only thing that remains unchanged is the call you share with every believer: To do the will of the Father.

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”-Philippians 2:12