Why Impulsiveness is the Next Big Thing

I wonder a lot.  Mostly, that is what these blogs are about...my wonderings.  One of the things I wondered about lately had to do with impulsivity and creativity. 

By impulsive, I mean to act rashly, hastily, or quickly. 

On the creativity bit, before some of you decide this blog isn't for you, I mean creativity in a much broader sense than being the artsy/crafty/Hobby Lobby kind of person. 

Instead, by creativity, I mean living life in a fresh, just your size, unique, surprising, true to you, creating kind of way. 

I feel like a new word is in store...impusleate? creatimpluse?  Ok, maybe that is taking the wonderings too far.  But hang on, I am about to tell you how weird is good, so maybe it works.

But, the birth of this idea came because lately I have been attentive to how frequently I have ideas.  Yet, many of these ideas are left undone.  Sometimes it may be for good reason.  But, I am starting to be convicted that more often than not there is no good reason. 

For instance, here is a train of thought I have had:   After teaching preschoolers at my church, I have thought (more than once)...wouldn't it be fun if one week we got the ice cream truck to come by?  Like it was a surprise?  And then all of us teachers could just pay for the kids ice cream...

And then my next thoughts become...

• I don't know the phone number
• Is Wednesday night the best time to do it?
• Would all the teachers want to do this?
• I have never heard of anyone else ever doing this.
• What if a kid misses out?
• Will some people at the church not like that we did it?
• etc., etc.

And the creativity is left undone.

Now, I am not saying that this idea would change the world...but I do think it has lots of possibility to shine the light of Christ through a fun and memorable shared experience with my wild and sweet young friends.  And therefore maybe change the world. 

But so far I haven't been impulsive with this idea.  .And really at this point impulsive is out the window because this idea has been lurking in my head for....too long.

I wonder for all of us though...Could it be that when God talked about us being a light to the world that part of this light is through our creative impulses?  We all like fun and new.  We like to be surprised by a fresh approach. 

But, if you are like me, I have many ideas that I dismiss as random. 

• Going to lunch with a person I just met (will they think I am needy?). 
• Sending a note in the mail to someone I haven't been in touch with for years (will they think I'm weird that I still think about them?). 
• Having a party at my house (My house isn't clean/ people are busy). 
• Writing this blog (No one will relate)....
• Giving someone a phone call that crosses my mind (I will get stuck on the phone...don't have time).
• Paying for someone in a surprise way (what if I need that money?)
• Striking up conversation with a stranger (again, will they think I'm weird?)
• And seriously, lots of other stuff, some of it so unique to my life context that it is too random to use as an example

Do you relate?

There may be a good reason to dismiss some ideas.
But too often I think there isn't. 

When God wrote, "Let us make man in our image (Genesis 1:26)," He meant that we are made with characteristics that are God-like.  Not that we are gods, but that we are like God.  If you read through that first bit of Genesis, primarily what we see God doing is creating.  And He did a spectacular job.  Sure, he did some artistic things like sunsets and mountain top views.  But his creating wasn't limited to that:  God also created time, order, science, speech, and biology.  He made everything from water to the seahorse that needs it...and He knew it was all good (gotta love the seahorse). 

...and then He made us.  Called you and me VERY GOOD.  AND He said we were made in His image. 

He created us.
To be like him. 
To create. 

He also made us to be in relationship with Him...where we can be led by His impulses.

So, this question is especially for those of us who live in relationship with Christ: 

If the God who created ALL made us to create like Him

and moreover, He lives in us by His creative Spirit,

then why aren't we more creative in how we live? 

I am thinking we aren't impulsive enough. 

There are three things that immediately come to my mind as common ways we talk ourselves out of our creative impulses...

To start, often we think, "Well, if I do ____ for John then I will need to do the same for Kate, Jackson, and Kyle too."  I don't have the time or energy or money to do for all them...so I guess I can't do that for any of them.

Andy Stanley has a great quote that speaks well to this:  "Do for one what you wish you could do for all."  This finds biblical support in that Jesus didn't heal every sick person when he walked this earth; he didn't have a personal conversation with all people. Like us, Jesus was limited by time and energy.  But he did exactly what His Father led him to do...he followed the impulses that God gave him.  What if we did the same?  Moreover, what is the alternative?  If not being able to do for all leaves us doing for no one...isn't that worse?

Insight #1: One is a big number. 

A second reason we talk ourselves out of good is because we worry that if we give our time, energy, or finances to another that we won't have enough for ourselves.  This is a valid concern, especially if we are parents with children to love.  Our family ought to be our priority.  Yet, I wonder if at times this is an excuse that points to a lack of trust in God and comes from a place of self-interest--not love. 

Jesus told a lot of made up stories to teach us things.  One in particular is called the parable of the talents (Matthew 25).  If you don't know it, check it out.  But the nutshell is this...there is one man in the story who took what his master gave him and buried it for safe keeping.  So, he saw no growth and though he didn't lose it, he was nevertheless punished by his master.  The story closes by saying, "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away (Matthew 25:29).

There are two other men who risked and used what their master gave them and they gained more.  It took a step of faith, but it grew. 

So, what is the principle Jesus is two thumbing?  He is saying that when we use what He has given us, He will allow it to grow.  But, those who hold on too tightly out of fear or self-interest will have it taken away. 

We can be safe keeping much like this man.  We bury our availability, our resources, and our unique skill set when we say things like, "I am too tired, I want to have some "me-time," or I need that money for Sally's dance class."  I wonder if sometimes this points to a lack of trust in God.  Could it be that God might make up the difference?  If the impulses are God-given, wouldn't it also seem likely that the time/energy/resources will be provided?  That maybe we won't miss the time?  Or maybe we will be refreshed through other resources than laying on the couch or getting a pedicure?

Just wondering. 

Insight #2: The God who gives us impulses gives us what we need.

A third and final reason for following our impulses is a fear that others might think we're weird.  Maybe weird is a strong word.  Maybe we just think that others won't like the idea or be supportive.  Frankly, I think we need more weird.  Not weird for the sake of weird, but the kind of weird that makes people see that a relationship with God is not stale or "supposed to look a certain way."  We need lots of real life examples of the vibrancy that comes when we truly keep in step with God's spirit and listen to His impulses. 

Somehow I don't think God gives us all impulses that fit in line with a church program or schedule.  I think His impulses are creative.  He made you uniquely.  He wants to fill you uniquely.  Sure you may be sign up to take part in a traditional role (i.e. like a Sunday School teacher or leading a Bible study) but it doesn't have to look a certain way.  As an old friend said to me a long time ago, "Be you, with Jesus in you."  That might be weird.  But more than likely, I think it will be really refreshing. 

Insight #3:  Weird can be fabulous too.

God thought the best thing He created was you and me.  If you are His follower, His creativity isn't over.  Could it be that the "random ideas" you have are His creative impulses?  Are you allowing His Spirit to give you impulses?  Are you willing to follow them? 

We won't know unless we try.

Also, we can't do it all, but maybe we can start with one thing. 

Now go be impulsive!!!!

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness (Galatians 5:16, from The Message).

 

 

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Introducing...the FRIDAY QUESTION!

I like to think in questions...somehow they feel more encouraging and more empowering than a statement.  Jesus liked questions too so that makes me feel right about liking them. 

So, today I decided that I would start having "Friday questions."  Good thing it's Friday.

Here goes.

How can I store up treasures in heaven today? 

(With my family?  With friends?  In my home?  In my play?  In my work?)

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6: 19-21

Do I Believe What I Know?

GODISNOWHERE. 

How did you read that?  God is no where?  God is now here?

I can't take credit for that.  I actually first saw that in a seminary class a long time ago.  But, it grabs my attention.  It challenges me.  Though how we first read that is not necessarily any indication of our heart, it does point to the two choices we have.  Either God is now here or God is no where. 

But, often it seems like we think there is a third option, an in-between option...that maybe that there is a God but He isn't like, right here all the time...you know, a kind of "From a Distance" (Bette Midler) idea about God.  That God is real...from a distance.

Along these lines, a couple Sundays ago I scribbled these two questions down on my bulletin...

Do you believe the living God designed and created this world?  And is still involved in our world?

or

Do you believe God is someone we have created to make sense of life, to help us find comfort, direction, and peace?

If I believe the first, then God exists. Period.  Always and at all times, and is near.

If I believe the second, then God exists only when I need Him. 

Of course, I want to be all in on the first camp, but if I am truly honest, there are many times where I treat God like the second.  He exists only when I need Him....which is impossible.  If someone only exists when I need them, then he is no more than an imaginary friend.  Not God. 

We need to examine our belief.

In case you've missed it, believe is a key word in all this.  Often it seems we equate belief and knowledge.  Yet, the two aren't the same.  Think back to many of Jesus' listeners in his day.  One of Jesus' followers, John, writes about them that, " Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him (John 12:37).  They knew what Jesus had done and saw his miracles with their very own eyes, but did not believe. 

Likewise, we may know that God created the world, we may say He entered the world as a man, Jesus.  We may have the right answer to say Jesus gave me salvation on the cross.  We may claim that His Spirit lives in me.

And then we go about our business...solo.  We may wish for it to be different, but we are nevertheless living life on our own. 

What does this say about what we believe?  Do we believe God is NOW HERE? 

If we do, solo is not the way we are to live life. 

Knowledge is important.  Our belief in God is shaped by what we know.  It's why we have Bible Studies, sermons, and speak God's truth to each other.  But we need to be sure that we lay bear our hearts before God, and dare I say before others, and pray for belief transformation. 

Romans 12:1-2 states, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This verse has some things that are our responsibility and some that are God's.  Our first job is to offer ourselves to God--this is worship.  This is not a one-time event, but an ongoing lifestyle of surrender.  Our second responsibility falls right in with our worship, we are to resist living like the world around us, i.e. living life on our own.  As far as God's responsibilities, He makes awesome promises to transform us, renew us, and provide good, pleasing, and perfect direction for our lives. 

We can't do God's part, so let's talk about our part--our ongoing lifestyle of surrender.  An important part of it is prayer which is a lot more normal than we often think.  It's not about acting pious, it is a place where we are welcomed with all of our flaws; we can have unfiltered honesty.  People who prayed all wordy bugged Jesus anyway.  I love the cry of the demon possessed boy's father in Mark 9 as he approached Jesus to heal his son.  Jesus said to the father: "Everything is possible for him who believes," and the father said: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

I think that is where most of us fall most of the time.  Believing and unbelieving.  Knowing and forgetting.  God is now here and then we go and live life on our own.  A key starting place in all that back and forth is to be honest prayers, to live open lives before God--with all of our complexities--and give God room to transform our fickle attitudes toward Him. 

"Do you believe what you know?  Do you believe that God is now here with you? 

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31)."  We are all sick.  We are all desperate for God's healing touch to reshape and sharpen our focus on Him.  Let's lay ourselves bare before the God who transforms us, inviting Him to help us overcome our unbelief.