“But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18 Amplified)
I have seen a few books entitled, “What If,” but the content of this meditation is very different than the topics those published authors focused on. What I will share has nothing to do with how history would have been different if certain things would have been done. And I will not focus on how the world, including your country, would be a better place from a sociological perspective if diversity was embraced. My focus is on our individual growth as Christians, something that should be happening regularly, pretty much daily.
Let me start by taking you back to your high school or post-secondary Psychology or Pedagogy (Education) classes where you learned about Classical Conditioning and consequently, Pavlov’s Dog. You remember how the dog would be punished, shocked, if he did not demonstrate the right response, far more devastating than Operant Conditioning where animals were rewarded for the right behavior.
But what if we were shocked every time that we gave the wrong response each day when someone asks, “What’s going on with you?” Think about our responses: “Same old same old.” – Shock! “Nothing is new.” – Shock! “My life is just a broken record, stuck in one place and repeating the same line over and over.” Good analogy, but guess what? You got it! Shock!
So what it we gave the response that would negate the need for a shock or the application of Classical Conditioning, and we were to give a response based on the truth? What if we would say things like, “I’m not what I used to be, but I’m better than I was yesterday.” Or perhaps, “I made some progress as a saint of God! I can see the results of the sanctification process!” Still, maybe we don’t just placate someone with the three-word answer that we typically give out of habit, just to be polite, “I’m doing fine.” But instead we responded with “I’m applying what I learned in the word today.” Or even, “I had a new blessing today! Yes, I did! For I have never seen this new day!” Then, add a question, “Isn’t God good?” Still maybe you can answer, “My light today is brighter than yesterday and I’m going to let it shine!” No shocking will come after those type of answers. You may shock them or at least shake up their minds to have some God-consciousness.
Back to the question I asked above. What if we were shocked every time that we gave the wrong response each day when someone asks, “What’s going on with you?” Listen, you won’t have to worry about it if you keep on growing in the Lord every day and you recognize that He is active in your life on an ongoing basis! Have a good day! Be blessed!
“Ev’ryday with Jesus, Sweeter than the day before; Ev’ryday with Jesus, I love Him more and more;
Jesus saves and keeps me, He’s the one that I adore; Ev’ryday is sweeter,
Sweeter than the day before.” (Old Hymn, Author Anonymous)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King