Mental Yoga

Some people have minds like concrete - They are firmly set and all mixed up.

I am always amazed at people who have only a vague understanding of some issue, but have definite opinions.  We are uncomfortable with doubt and we want to fill in the blanks with things for which we are certain.

There are things that I know nothing about.  I don't understand why there is rioting in Ferguson.  I am am a middle aged white guy living in a small town.  I get along with my neighbors and the people in the community.  I don't understand what causes people to riot.  But that's just it, I don't understand.  Other people must see their communities differently than I see mine.  I can't just say that they're all crazy.  No, there is something else there.  I just don't know what.  Probably in times of uncertainty we would all be better to keep an open mind, listen more and talk less.

If we can keep an open mind in areas where we know little, we have the opportunity to perform a bit of mental yoga.  Our mind can bend and stretch as it wraps itself around new possibilities.  And as Emerson said, "A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions."

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And so it was with Thomas, the disciple known for doubting.  He didn't get to see Jesus when he first returned and he found it hard to believe.  But he also didn't walk away.  He stayed with the group and kept his opinions flexible.  

Watch this clip of Pastor Sparks talking about Thomas.

I find myself identifying with Thomas a lot.  I am a first class doubter.  I want evidence and most things in life don't happen as controlled experiments.  We pray for provision and when the money comes in it is easy to think that it might have happened anyway.  We pray for healing and when the person gets better it is easy to think that they could have gotten better anyway.  After all, people get better without prayer.  If you don't have these doubts, then your brain is wired significantly different than mine.

A pastor once told me that we should not avoid the questions and the doubt, but rather we should embrace them.  We should treat them as opportunities to grow.  God is God.  He is up to the challenge.  We need to have a mind and a faith that is flexible enough to let God work in us. And like Thomas, we can be stretched to a new dimension.  Now there is something to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.