Life is not for the faint of heart. It is a journey with lots of pitfalls, and speed-bumps. And sometimes there are detours. Anyone who has ever made the difficult decision to change their ecclesial affiliation will understand the many special challenges that come with that choice. It can be even more difficult when the switch is from one confession to another that is in the minds of many, so very similar.
And then there are the doubts. I'm not sure if I've ever met a convert to Orthodoxy who hasn't been plagued by them at least occasionally. I certainly have. If your lucky, you work your way through them. If not, you might end up hitting a speed bump or taking one of the aforementioned detours. It happens. One can never judge because each of us wrestles with the demons in our own way. The temptations to this or that sin, passion, or doubt may be different for each of us, but we all fight the same battle. In the end we can only pray and then do what we think is right, as God gives us the light to discern right from wrong and beg God's mercy when we fall.
Tonight, I have been given a very powerful and humbling reminder of that courtesy of Owen White for which I am deeply grateful.
Wilhelm de Vries on the Schism of 1724
3 hours ago
2 comments:
Well, that is surprising.
I apologize for closing the comments after someone has already posted one. I had intended to do so last night but forgot. While I think Owen's post is worth taking note of, and may be a good subject for private reflection, I am not sure it's an appropriate topic for discussion or conversation.
Thank you for your understanding.
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