One and done

Do we really believe this? Especially with those fundamental and foundational areas in our lives... are any really one and done? OK, some things can be one and done, like salvation. As long as salvation is defined in terms of the beginning and not the end of this life change. I believe that most things that are important, essential in and to our lives are always in a state of process. We are always becoming...

Is it our need for 'closure' that inclines us toward believing in one and done? Perhaps. If so, then we need a paradigm shift to realizing it is process that defines our growth and growing. And the following verses explain: 

   "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my 
    ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the 
    earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts 
    than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8–9) 

   "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we 
    ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be 
    glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 
    forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20–21)

If on no other verses in scripture, these are my foundations for believing that we live in a learning lab, that our lives are marked by understanding, growth, and appreciation of who we are, who we are becoming, and whose we are, and that all things associated with life is a process. Our need for closure takes second place to the realization that when we close a door, we may be missing a greater understanding. Life is like an onion - we are always unwrapping one layer after another.

Our need for closure/one and done doesn't need to dictate our thinking and behavior. We can choose to expand how we go about our learning and how we incorporate new understandings. I don't believe that we 'throw the baby out with the bathwater', that is just counter-productive. We build. That's how our learning advances in all areas. We build on our 1+1=2 until it grows into algebra or calculus... and even then, we don't stop. We keep adding to our understandings so that we act in confidence and speak with the understanding that marks our confidence.