Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

OPEN-MINDEDNESS Life is a learning experience and marriages must be also. We bring into marriage vastly different backgrounds; thus, our attitudes must be flexible so we can mesh our backgrounds into a compatible lifestyle. To accomplish this, we must be open-minded. That's what Jesus meant when He talked about those who were "poor in spirit." When Jesus came, the religious leaders rejected Him because they were filled with their own ideas and traditions. But, the common people heard him gladly (Mark 12:37). Poor and hungry, they wanted what Jesus taught them. Christ said He had come to preach the Gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18). People who have their fists closed can receive nothing. On the other hand, those who have their hands open can receive what is given. Christ wants our minds and hearts to be open to think in new directions. Being open-minded is most important in establishing our homes. If each mate insists on imposing his previous lifestyle on the marriage and refuses to learn from the other, the marriage will be severely hampered. We must be open-minded. Paul pointedly says: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3). Our mates have valuable contributions to make to our lives, and we would be wise to listen. To be "poor in sprit" means we are not filled with pride but open to learning from each other and making appropriate changes.