The thinking thing - 2/2

While some people never seem to get off the starting blocks when it comes to this thinking thing, others of us have brains that seem to work in overdrive.

Mine generally works at around about 110% of its capacity during the working day, and seems to slow down just a little bit during sleeping hours. I know my brain is still doing its thing during the night because I’m forever waking up with great ideas, or new understanding of things, so that means that the silly thing hasn’t stopped thinking even though I’m “out-theJoe”.

People who turn their brains off, really turn me off. I can’t stand it when people just don’t care, or engage their mouth before their brain, or say really stupid things and then get into ugly scenes to justify themselves over it. That’s just pride.

It’s not that I need to talk with rocket scientists to enjoy a meaningful conversation. I love talking to kids and people with lower IQs. Maybe its because I love to teach and the brainy ones are so “up themselves” that they don’t see a need to learn. Maybe its because the less brainy ones have to work harder and therefor appreciate the thinking challenge , but whatever the case, thinking is a skill that we can ALL cultivate. It just takes practice, and a positive attitude.

There are a few things I enjoy that help my brain to float away into its own little world. When I am plaing the piano, word-turning, or snowboarding I can often think things though without the outside distractions that so often pressure me.

The Good Book has a word to say about the guy that doesn’t think. It effectively calls him a “sucker” who’ll fall for anything:

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15

And note that the mark of a prudent man is that he thinks. That’s “one” for the thinkers, and “zip” to the others. I love it!
I spent years struggling with this Christianty thing. I never actually chose to get religious. It just happened, but I’ve seen the wisdom over the years in being able to do more than just say “Hey, I got zapped, and that’s why I’m a happie clappy chappie!” Being able to reason, and think things through to understand and a point of peace (hey that’s a nice alliteration eh?) has helped me get a better handle on who I am and where I fit into the cosmos.

For the believers amongst us, my mate Pete (I reckon he’s the coolest dude in the bible actually, apart from Jesus that is) has a word of wisdom. He was a thinker too. He didn’t start out very well. He always seemed to have his foot in his mouth, but in the end he “got it” pretty well.

This is what he had to say about the thinking thing, specifically as it fits in with our faith:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15

Ahh - the reason - kinda like logic, derived from thinking about it. So cool!

I’d like to think that we can all shoot straight about the bible things; to be able to answer those who want to talk about them, and to be able to demonstrate at least some degree of thinking prowess.

That’s the VICTUS IN AMBITUS way, anyway. Thinking. It might not be easy all the time, but we can ALL at least give it a decent shot.