Chaplain’s Corner 14-64 November 21, 2014 Think versus react. Military people are usually people of action. So are law enforcement officers (LEOs). Both groups are often trained well to react to certain situations, so that they do not take much time to think before they act. Lives can be lost in seconds, and when seconds count, trained reactions are vital. A well trained soldier, or LEO, can bring their weapon on target and fire at least two rounds, with deadly accuracy, in less than two seconds. You and I also know people who may have a ”hair trigger” reaction to certain things, where they do not take time to think before they act. There are instances, such as a mother reaching across to prevent a child from going forward in a quick car stop, where this may be beneficial; (your child should always use their seatbelt). I have reacted quickly, without thinking, to try to avoid a spilling cup or to save my toe from a dropping object. Those usually are good reactions. Unfortunately, there are also bad reactions where, had I taken time to think before I acted, things would have been far better. I am relatively sure that I am not the only person who has done that. The word “think” is used several times in the Bible. It often means “to exercise the mind”, “to regard”, “to ponder”, or “to take an inventory”. All of those definitions imply that thinking should take some time. Thinking should cause one to contemplate before taking any action. There are just two places in the Bible where it says to “think on” something. The one New Testament use comes from Philippians 4:8. It reads, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – think on these things. “Think on” in this use means to meditate, to take an inventory, to count, estimate, esteem, reason, or conclude. Please pause, re-read that verse, and reflect on it. THINK ON THEM! True, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, praiseworthy – One will rarely find anything like those qualities in the news, on TV, or in the movies. One is even less likely to find those qualities in a quick reaction. How many people do you know who exhibit those characteristics? Why? Would you please take some time right now to really think on those things? If this verse was important enough to be included in Scripture, then it is important enough that we take the time to actually do what it says. The Church today needs more people “thinking on”, and less people reacting. Do you think? Do you think! Chaplain Jim
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:47:03 +0000
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