I Mean What I Do, Not What I Say
March 31, 2009
We all have deeply ingrained assumptions or generalizations that determine how we understand the world and how we respond and behave. Noted author Peter Senge calls these mental models. He says we quite often are not aware of these mental models or the effect they have on our behavior. We may say we believe one thing, then behave in a contrary fashion based on deeply held beliefs and assumptions we don’t even know exist.
For example, we may profess faith in Jesus Christ who conquered death, hell, and the grave; the One before whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord; the One who forever lives and now stands at the right hand of the Father in heaven constantly interceding on our behalf–and our professions go on and on. Yet we live our lives in constant fear and anxiousness as if Satan will, at any moment, overpower Christ and everything God has planned for us will be totally destroyed. With our mouths we say I don’t really believe Satan can do that, but the way we actually live our lives says we believe it much more than we can ever admit. Where does something like that come from? Why does it happen over and over?
Senge says, The discipline of working with mental models starts with turning the mirror inward; learning to unearth our internal pictures of the world, to bring them to the surface and hold them rigorously to scrutiny. This does not happen in isolation. It takes courage to allow caring friends to point out the inconsistencies we cannot see on our own. It takes courage to admit the lens through which we have viewed life is distorted. It takes courage to trust God as much as we say we do. Together we can find that courage. Let today be the day you allow God to bring all your mental models into alignment with His plans and His purposes for your life.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. –Proverbs 3:5-8