Kierkegaard ends that undated journal entry of 1841 with one of my favourite quotes:
‘For the rights of understanding to be valid one must venture out into life, out on the sea and lift up one's voice, even though God hears it not, and not stand on the shore and watch others fighting and struggling, only then does understanding acquire its official sanction, for to stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going on one's knees and thanking him.’
We cannot stand on the sidelines and debate, to really understand we need to take part. A life of risk and suffering that can lead to a truly human existance, a life that is authentic and fulfilled. But it is a counter-culteral life, heading against the crowd. Jesus said:
‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ Matthew 7: 13-14 [NIV]
Father, challenge us to step out into the world, to experience the challenge of following you. That we would experience your truth.
Guy Mowbray
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