A few weeks ago, I began attending an Orthodox church with my family. At first I went in order to support my mom's journey into Orthodoxy (and because I was curious), but now it looks like I might be headed that direction. This was completely unexpected. Everything about this church is so strange to someone who spent 3 decades immersed in Protestant teaching that I'm having a slow time of it trying to unlearn my previous upbringing, or at least rethink it.
I became a Christian at a very young age--about 22 years ago--but a few years later, started drifting away from my commitment, and have been doing so ever since. I can't even see the shore anymore. It's like being in a marriage and completely forgetting why you got married in the first place. When that happens, it's time to go back to the beginning.
Sorry if this is confusing, but I spent years going to church and accepting what was taught without question, never truly examining the roots of those beliefs. I've heard people argue about doctrine, about theology, about Bible translations, etc. Over time, going to church or being around other Christians...just turned me off. I'm not a big fan of debates or arguing, and I'm tired of going down rabbit paths. Nor do I wish to accept so-called "solid" answers just because "God said it, I believe it, that settles it." We weren't given brains for nothing. It's tempting to run back to what I know--to what is familiar. It's easier not to have my assumptions challenged or blown out of the water. But isn't that true for all of us?
So I'm exploring this path right now, and fighting the urge to be impatient about it. Like someone said. "There is no rushing into Orthodoxy." Some people embrace it right away, some take months or even years.
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