MANNA: Keep An Open Mind

Think of a time when you changed your mind about something. What made you change your mind?

When something is new to you, how do you decide whether it’s worth your time and attention?

I awoke this morning with questions like those floating around my head; which led my morning devotions to Proverbs 18.

Proverbs 18:1-2,15 (ESV)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

It's important to try to remain open to new ideas. If people were not open to new ideas, consider where we might be:



All movies would still be in black and white....wait there wouldn't be movies at all.
We would still be writing snail mail instead of texting, skyping, emailing...wait, would there even be paper?
Computers would still be the size of a room, and the internet would never have gotten off the ground.  

Telephones

TVs

Cars

Light Bulbs

The list goes on....

Thankfully, many who have gone before us have been open to new ideas. In Proverbs 18, the author tells us that being open to new ideas is also important to our relationship with God.  God asks us to consider new ways of doing things all the time.  From caring for people, forming communities, conserving the earth's resources, maintaining justice, we are always challenged to consider new ideas.

Let me repeat that...we are always CHALLENGED to consider new ideas. It’s easier for us to stay in our comfort zones, to hang out with people who act, think and believe like we do. New ideas can be disruptive and uncomfortable. They challenge us to look at the world, other people and ourselves in ways we may not want to. 

But new ideas also stretch us and help us grow. That’s why "the ear of the wise seeks knowledge", remaining open to new ideas.  If you want to act wisely, surround yourself with wise people who challenge you to keep your mind open. Push yourself to read different kinds of books than you would normally choose. Ask God to open your eyes to fresh new ways to think and look at things.

Open my ears, Lord, 

and help me to listen,

Open my eyes, Lord,

I want to see Jesus.

Amen.

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