Opinions

“A truly humble person never behaves like a teacher; he will listen, and, whenever his opinion is requested, he responds humbly. In other words, he replies like a student. He who believes that he is capable of correcting others is filled with egotism.” – St. Paisios the Athonite

I read that quote at some point over Great Lent and was convicted of my own constant need to have an opinion, to hear opinions, and to speak my own, whether requested or not.

I am weary of opinions. I am weary of the need for opinion and the tyranny of opinion. By this I mean the false notion that in order to be engaged or informed one must have opinions, and respond/react to the opinions of others. This is not the way shown to us by Christ.

Most of all, though, I am weary of my own opinions. I want to learn to be still and to exist in prayer and action, but not opinion.

I have a long way to go. Pray for me, a sinner.