Full Appreciation of Truth and Goodness

[scameter18]

Why does it seem like that many people, even Catholics, do not fully explore, or even recognize, truth and goodness? It seems that people do not wonder what is true and what is not, and are especially unwilling to take their inquiry to the fullest possible depth, which is ultimately God. And it also seems that people are unwilling to try to be as good as they can possibly be; not mediocre, not partially good and partially bad, but to try their absolute best, and then repent if they do something bad and try to correct it. People, it seems, would rather live a life of convenience: relying on what others tell them is true and asking no further, and being as good, and as sinful, as it suits them at that moment. Essentially, I have two questions regarding these observations: why are people willing to settle? and, why can there be two people from very similar situations, such as backgrounds of hard suffering, wealth, and everything in between, and one of them choose to appreciate and pursue the call to complete truth and goodness the Holy Spirit gives them in their heart, and the other chooses to settle for mediocrity and convenience? What motivates these people to make their so very different choices?

 

[passus]

How and why people seek and find truth in God is unique and unlike how and why people discover things like classical music or a new, favorite hobby. This is because God has a way of drawing us to Himself compounded with the fact that each man has an innate longing for satisfaction and completion which can only be found in God, his creator. In this way, God is actively involved in conversion–unlike the stack of Vivaldi recordings on the mantle.

The issue your question seeks to explore is directly related to the way in which people choose to comply or work with, so to speak, our calling by God to Himself and the grace God gives us to be able to follow through with His calling.

And why someone might or might not comply with God’s grace can be for any number of reasons.

Elements of character or personality like ignorance, laziness, and indifference or apathy come to mind. A person who, for example, doesn’t care about anything would have no reason or incentive to care about God nor the desire to comply with His grace.

God also uses our suffering in a dramatic way to draw us to Himself, as in the way some people find God after a massive tragedy or the death of a close friend or family member. Character and personality, too, have a role in how people recover from these tragedies and certainly those aspects may lead one person in one direction while another person finds himself on a path to truth in God–regardless of what superficial similarities in background or hardship or wealth might be present.

As for why some people do not wonder “what is true and what is not” as you first asked:

Not everyone thinks with the mind of a philosopher, which is where this very question is clearly coming from. While logic and inquisition might lead you to God, a very emotional or personal experience might lead another person to explore God in a different, but quite valid, way. Not that these two are by any means exclusive.

 

[ljubim]

While logic and inquisition might lead you to God, a very emotional or personal experience might lead another person to explore God in a different, but quite valid, way.

That’s very true! God clears a different way for everybody to come to him.

Also I think many people do not take the time to think… or the Truth is intimidating to them. So they put it off until it’s too late

I know for a fact that many people call themselves Catholic but are very unbelieving, to their own detriment. Oh sure, they’ll swallow the basics, but can’t move to the mature level. (My younger sister is one of them!) They just don’t want to hear certain things. I’d say try hard on people you’re close to.

Otherwise don’t despair. Surround yourself with others like you. These forums are a great place to do that!

 

[scameter18]

Thanks to both of you for your answers, you answered it completely.