If someone said you were ...likely you would not view that as a compliment.

I'm adding the full picture here ...as we may see the beginning of many things, and we may even see some of what comes after, but we are often unaware of what comes in between.  

Some of you may even see this more full picture ...and still not know what it is, other than a bridge.  

But, that is a start.

I think I would have been confused a bit also ...just seeing a part, and mostly from below.  And that is no easy admission, as I travel over this every year, and when I was younger, many more times annually.

Yes, it's the Mackinac Bridge ...pronounced, Mackinaw, and don't ask me to get into that.

How does that apply to my title ...of being narrow-minded??

If you travel over the bridge, it is often under repair or maintenance ...so, the two lanes going each way (making four lanes) are often only two lanes (one lane going each way).  And with the activity going on, as the people work, that lane seems even narrower.  I'm not afraid to drive over the bridge, but I do grip the wheel ...as I feel not being afraid does not mean I also have to be stupid. And with the activity on the bridge, one nudge by a vehicle or piece of machinery could be enough to careen one off the bridge.

If someone says you are narrow-minded, it perhaps warrants a grave look at yourself ...or it is often dismissed as concluding that the other person should be the one who looks in the mirror, taking a serious look at themselves.

Let's take a serious and honest look at the Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 7 ...

"Judge not, that you be not judged ..."

Jesus is speaking here, and this tells me that we are not the judge. Yes, that is right, ...we are not the judge, but He is the judge.

Then Jesus speaks of the speck we see in our brother's eye ...

Yes, there is an unhealthy tendency that we have ...of seeing the faults of others, while not acknowledging the often greater faults of ourselves.  The bottom line is ...we are all sinners.

Verse 9, begins with encouraging us with the very thing we should already be doing, but perhaps are on occasion ...not doing.  That is to say, following what most of us refer to as the Golden Rule.

We are also warning of false prophets ...who will likely say the way of most Christians is narrow-minded, and may even quote the verse at the beginning of the Chapter, "Judge not ..."

But, again, Jesus is speaking here ...so, let's see what the true Judge says.  And backing up a verse or two, we read, "Enter into the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there will be that go there.  But, strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few will there be that find it."

This kind of makes me think that I want to adjust my mind and way of thinking.  Many people think the word 'repent' is too often used, and often too severe ...but, it simply means to 'change one's mind', or way of thinking.  And it is Jesus whom I should look to ...for giving strength and wisdom for that change.

It kind of makes me want to think more 'narrow-minded' ...more in line with the narrow way.

What is the opposite of narrow-mindedness??

Would that be broad-mindedness, tolerant, liberal ...unbiased???

I would feel that the one word, 'unbiased' ...sort of does not fit my view of this list.  Those who often feel they are broad-minded, feel they are open-minded.  They view being tolerant ...as being fair to everyone. And liberal is viewed as open to progressive ideas and opinions ...in a very mature manner??

But, this group of thinkers are definitely not without bias ...and they are often very intolerant towards those who do not share their views.  And I sadly say ...that their liberal views often put themselves in the highly coveted position of making themselves the judge of right & wrong, instead of looking to God for that standard.

If someone says we are narrow-minded, does that warrant a grave look at ourselves??

Well, in view of what has just been said, if we are not narrow-minded ...perhaps we should take a grave look at ourselves before the grave takes a look at us.

The Gospel According to John, Chapter 14, says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life ...and that no one comes to the Father, except through Him.

That sort of narrows it down.

(I asked our son what he would think if someone called him narrow-minded.  He said, he'd think they'd be saying he only views things one way ...and that he doesn't see the big picture. Yet, after reading those Bible verses, it does state that there is only one way ...Jesus.  And that would make the big picture very clear.)

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