Cultivating Our Minds
Consider learning from a wide range of topics and disciplines.
God gave us a powerful part of the human body capable of processing complex information and making informed decisions. God gave us brains. I'm no expert in the human brain, but obviously, the brain is capable of some amazing things. We can remember and recall a lot of information. We are able to communicate with other human beings, which is a very complex skill if you think about it. We are able to consider a wide range of factors in making any decision in life. We are capable of learning new information and building upon that information. The human brain is truly a marvel. It would be wise for us to use our brains and develop our intellectual capabilities.
Similar to how we should take care of our bodies, we should also take care of our minds. The Bible exhorts us to love God in this way: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30 ESV). We are called to love God with our minds. We should consider how we are going to grow this vital and important aspect of the human person.
There are many ways for us to cultivate our God-given minds. We can go to school. We can read books and other forms of literature. We can watch thought-provoking and educational media. We can have deep conversations with other people. We can attend a lecture, seminar, or workshop on a variety of interesting topics.
There are plenty of ways to develop our thinking. But we have to be intentional about it. If we're not intentional, we might miss out on opportunities for learning and development that are available to us. Also, consider learning from a wide range of topics and disciplines. Oftentimes, differing disciplines can intersect with one another in unique and wonderful ways.
On a personal level, I like to develop my thinking by reading books (especially the Bible) and listening to podcasts. Once in a while, I'll attend a seminar that might interest me. These things help me to continue shaping my thinking and perspective. They ultimately contribute to how I make decisions—big and small—in my life. Choose intellectual activities that would resonate with you to grow your thinking and perspective. If reading books doesn't work for you, try something else such as taking an online class or listening to an audio book. The key is to keep learning and growing no matter what format or activity you decide to use.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
