Nassim Nicholas Taleb, writing in The Bed of Procrustes, “A mathematician starts with a problem and creates a solution; a consultant starts by offering a ‘solution’ and creates a problem.”
When we, as disciples of Jesus, are in conversation with someone, do we lead with a solution? Or, perhaps, listening to the other person begin with their problem and perhaps help create a solution?
There was an old kid’s saying that when you point your finger at someone there are three pointing back at you.
Truth lies behind that saying. What you do speaks louder that what you say. And it all reflects back on others’ perception of your character.
Who likes the self-righteous person always ready to point to other’s faults and “wrong” theologies?
No one. Most likely not even the person doing the pointing.
If you find yourself in this loop, pause and try kindness.
Back in the days when I was a teacher, we would read some Biblical passage. Some would like to discuss various theologies or ideas.
I would like to ask, “So what?”
How does this apply to us when we leave the room?
I just finished a book of 141 sermons of John Wesley. I didn’t look up the exact quote, but he at times said the same thing. He was concerned that we stop with faith and forget the why. Why do we have faith? Well, to be able to perform service to our fellow humans.
Like James said in his letter, faith without works is dead.
The next time you feel like arguing weird bits of theology, pause and think, “So what?”
Are you an insecure leader who needs to be sure you’re the boss? You hire people who will do what you tell them…no more, no less.
Are you a generative leader whose leadership breeds other generative leaders? You recruit people who will become greater than you under your guidance.
“This is my simple religion:
There is no need for temples;
no need for complicated philosophy.
Our own brain, our own heart is our temple
And the philosophy is kindness.”
I picked up this quote from the current Dalai Lama somewhere. There are echoes of the Apostle Paul drawing a picture of our body as the new temple, so we should take care of it in every way.
In this era in the world, we can all use a little kindness. Try expressing a little today by word or deed.
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
This quote is attributed to Albert Einstein, although he, like Yogi Berra, are often attributed quotes they probably never uttered.
The point remains valid no matter who said it first.
I wish the Apostle Paul had heard this thought.
I love Mark’s gospel and James’ letter. They are so direct. They make a point and move on.
Luke’s gospel is similar.
But Paul felt a need to keep explaining. And therefore Luther, Calvin, and Wesley all read Paul’s letter to the Romans and came up with different versions of systematic theology.
My point…Jesus didn’t tell us to argue arcane points of theology. He told us to love God and to love our neighbor. Luke told three stories that explain who the neighbor is. Hint—not only those from your tribe who agree with you.
I have an eighteen-hundred page book (actually two volumes) that’s an in-depth scholarly look at Paul that I’ve studied. It’s a fantastic intellectual exercise.
But that doesn’t make me a better follower of Jesus. Helping the next person I meet is a start.
The driver bringing me home from a late flight from California to Chicago asks, “Do you know who you’re voting for?”
Questions beginning with a verb are easy. They are yes or no.
“Yes,” I answer. That’s easy. (No, I’m not telling you who.)
But…
“Who?” he asks bluntly.
I think, “Great. I don’t want a 10 pm discussion after a long day and a 5-hour flight.” But I tell him. Then I ask a leading question. It didn’t take much. He was talkative.
I heard a phrase recently—when someone disagrees with you, get curious. Ask questions.
Most (all?) people want to talk about themselves. Ask what they think. Why they think it. What are their fears. What are their hopes.
That can calm argumentativeness. Agreement and understanding may be beyond reach. But détente—maybe.
It starts with tiredness and dehydration. The throat begins to feel sore. Sinuses are dry.
In the fall perhaps it’s ragweed. In the spring, myriad possibilities.
The pollen finds a welcome home.
The body’s physical systems become out of sync.
Practicing disciplines of hydration, nutrition, exercise, the body’s rhythms will be restored.
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It starts with a comment, spoken or read. From acquaintance or news source.
Distraction or tiredness allows the thought entry into the mind.
Soon our thoughts dwell on fear of others, uncertainty of future life, doubt of others.
Our minds and souls are captured.
We must gather our inner forces. Remember to live with intention.
Practicing disciplines of study, prayer, worship, gathering with guides, and our emotional and spiritual rhythms will be restored.
Made me think back to the 60s,
What’s It All About, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
—Burt Bacharach
During last week’s technology conference, a speaker told us “automation should be about empowering people.”
We read the stories about Jesus.
We read the stories about the early church.
Is it all about joining the (name your type) community?
Is it all about going to heaven at the end?
Is it all about doing good?
Or, maybe, all about telling others how to be good?
Maybe it’s all about following Jesus, being empowered by the Spirit?
Empowered to live a life of service to God and others?
Empowered to live in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
Jesus called the religious leaders of his day hypocrites.
They put on masks and played a role.
Behind the mask lay a different reality.
Greed. Lust for power. Pride.
The same exist today.
When the role we play approximates the status of our hearts,
then we move from hypocrisy to maturity.
If we but observe closely, we can know
whether that Christian wears a mask or presents a heart.
More important, what role are we playing?
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 