214th day, 30th week, 8th month of 2021
Hello friends! It has been a while since I have taken a break from our journey of self-discovery. I have embarked on yet another adventure in this journey called life and, I am learning so much more about our design by the Master Architect Himself.
I awoke and began thinking about where we are in time: 214th day, 30th week, 8th month of 2021. Then I allowed my thoughts to drift as I reflected on 214 days ago, December 31, 2020. I remembered the word of the Lord to me, “I will perfect that which concerns you…. (KJV, Psalms 138:8)” and I sighed, thinking of all the things that I was hoping to be changed this year, but still have not.
My mind returned to the present and my new growth adventure, pursuing a master’s degree, and all that I am learning from the course in which I am currently enrolled, Brain-Based Learning. Friends, the more I learn, the more I realize that the scientists are playing catch up. They are now finding out more of how God designed humans and, their discovery provides more evidence/proof to what the Bible teaches.
Friends, it is an amazing journey! As I study and work through this course, the Holy Spirit sits with me and teaches me. Just like Jesus used parables to communicate truths, the Holy Spirit is showing me how the scientists are uncovering truths about us, truths that the Lord God has embedded in the design of man(kind). He shows me how as the body houses the spirit of man, so the brain houses the mind (soul) of man and, by studying the brain, we receive insight into the workings of the mind.
Neuroscience, a branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, especially with their relation to learning and behavior, has introduced concepts that scripture teaches (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). Concepts such as
- neuroplasticity – renewing the mind (KJV, Romans 12:2)
- mirror neurons – learning through imitation (AMP, 1 Corinthians 11:1)
- readiness (behavior relevance) – desire drives growth (NIV, 1 Peter 2:2)
- coherent construction – line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little (KJV, Isaiah 28:10)
AND THE LIST GOES ON ….
As I reflect on all this, a light bulb goes off! The Lord God has designed and built our minds with the capacity for change, daily change. It is not that I cannot change; rather, I have not created an environment for change to occur. The Holy Spirit reminded me that as believers we have an added advantage; we have Him. Consequently, we do not have to do this alone. We have power to attend, to acquire knowledge to retain it and to recall it when needed (KJV, John 14:26; 16:13; Psalm 119:11).
Finally, I thought of you, my friends, and wondered if maybe you too are desiring change that have not yet materialized. I wonder, is there a habit, an attitude, or a mindset over which you need victory? Please hear me today; know that you were designed and built to transform into who God said you are. You are not fixed. Your character is not fixed. You don’t have to stay as you are. God has wired you to be able to change, to transform. We still have 151 days/22 weeks/4 months to partner with the Holy Spirit and work with the Lord God, work with His word and His design so that He can fulfill His word and perfect those things that concerns us.
O Holy Spirit, hear the cry of our hearts; we NEED change! Please direct us to the knowledge that we need to bring about the change in our lives. May this knowledge cause a rewiring and reshaping of our minds In Jesus’name, Amen!
DIG DEEPER:
Bible Study: The Process of Change
REFERENCES:
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Neuroscience. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved August 2, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neuroscience
The Holy Bible, Amplified Bible. (2015). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Amplified-Bible-AMP/ (Original work published 1965)
The Holy Bible, Amplified Bible Classic Edition. (1987). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Amplified-Bible-Classic-Edition-AMPC/ (Original work published 1965)
The Holy Bible, King James Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/King-James-Version-KJV-Bible/ (Original work published 1611)
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/ (Original work published 1973)