Regurgitated Faith

Regurgitation:  1. To rush or surge back.  2. To cause to pour back, especially to cast up (partially digested food).

This word is often found to be repulsive, yet we experience regurgitation daily.  In fact, my family has experienced it A LOT lately! Poor Polly has been regurgitating all day!  But, emptying the contents of the stomach is only one form of regurgitation.  When stangers meet in passing, they regurgitate their greetings, "Hi.  How are you?", one asks.  "Fine.", the other responds.  Do you see the regurgitation here?  It's practice.  Habit.  Neither party is truly concerned about the well being of the other.  Education is full of regurgitation.  Teachers present information, and ask students to prove what they have learned by spewing this information back at them.  The students might get the right answer, but fail to see the big picutre.  They read the book, but miss the main idea.  Is that what learning is supposed to be?  I admit, I have it easy.  I teach science.  It is often easier for me to help students connect what we are learning to their lindividual ives.  Science is based upon questioning, investigation, and drawing of conclusions based on research.  When students make these real life connections, regardless of the subject, their education is authentic not regurgitated.  They don't have to cram all night for tests, because they have an internal understanding of how, why, and what. 

This problem of regurgitation seeps from beneath the doors of schools and into the pews of churches.  Though our intentions are pure, we often rob our children, as well as ourselves, of genuine faith.  Our desire for our children to share our beliefs can lead to regurgitated faith.  That is, faith born of practice and repetition, not a living connection to Jesus Christ. I'm not suggesting that we change what were teaching our kids, but rather how we teach them.  We need to help them connect to the life and teachings of Jesus, not just memorize scriptures.  This self investigation is invaluable during the early teen years.  During this time, teens are stuggling with self identity.  Can you imagine the possibilites that exist for these kids who find their idenitiy through Jesus.  Understanding why they believe not just what.  This will establish true faith they can build upon their entire lives.  It amazes and nausiates (pun intended!) me to see how many church leaders have regurgitated faith.  They can quote verse upon verse, but their understanding of meaning is shallow at best.  They don't get it.  And, unless they're willing to learn, they never will. 

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of regurgitation, in every aspect of the word.  The rancidness of the stomach can easily sour the soul.  Encourage each other to build a firm foundation of faith.  Based upon prayer, study, conversation, love, questioning, investigation, and understanding.  Understanding that we don't know it all.  If you are a regurgitator, don't give up.  Start your investigation today.  Don't keep spewing your faith, let it digest.  Let it offer nourishment to your body and soul.  Connecting your life and your faith through Jesus is the only way to build genuine faith.  The faith like He has in you.