New Thinking For A Better Futureনমুনা

 We almost universally make a colossal subconscious assumption that the way we think is the only possible way to consider our situations. Our thought processes are so familiar, so ingrained, that we can’t imagine thinking a new way. It’s like our minds are running antiquated software that’s slow, glitchy, and unproductive—but it’s all we’ve ever known. 

Is it even possible to change how we think? Yes, but it’s not easy. 

To a large extent, our thought processes are shaped when we are young. I grew up in a very religious Christian environment in India, but it wasn’t always positive. My parents were convinced their view of God and God’s path for our lives was right and they were also sure anyone who disagreed with them was wrong. I bought into their perspective. Years after I came to America, I became the pastor of a similarly narrow, theologically rigid church. I felt right at home! Through a series of surprising events, I was asked to be the president of a Bible college. Suddenly, I led students who came from over fifty different Christian traditions, most of them unlike mine. During this time, I read an article that opened new doors to a world of new thinking. It said we need to realize there are three levels of commitment: to essentials, to convictions, and to preferences. I realized I had put virtually everything under the category of essentials and I expected everyone to agree with me. News flash: they didn’t. 

One day after I had been thinking about these levels of commitment, I walked into a class of about fifty students, representing, I assumed, at least thirty traditions. I asked them, “What are the core beliefs of the Christian faith?” As they voiced topics, I wrote them on the board. After only a few minutes, we had about thirty-five statements.

Then I turned and asked them, “If I put a gun to your head, which of these are you willing to die for?” The room became very quiet. Soon, a few brave students identified the few truths that were absolutely essential to their faith. 

Like them, I realized a lot of the things that had seemed so important before were no longer things I’d die for. Few things are absolutely essential and worth our ultimate devotion and sacrifice.