Me thinks we think too much

For twenty-one years, I have made my living as a thinker. I squeezed four years of college into six (some of you may need to do the math on that one). I graduated from a distinguished institution with some of the smartest people I have ever met, and known, as my professors. They helped me to think, study and consider who God is and longs to be in our lives. Since that time, I have spent twenty-one years helping others consider, and think, through who God longs to be in their lives. Thinking is an important part of life!

I enjoy sitting around with thinkers. I enjoy drinking coffee, dialoguing, debating and thinking (while eating some ice cream) through how people think and act and all that God has to do with the different parts of our lives. I am thankful for the ones that have helped me think over the years, and therefore grow in my faith and my ability to live it out. Thinking is important, necessary and vital!

I am starting to think, however, that we have grown to believe that we are to think and that this will change the world. If I think about loving my wife, create in my mind romantic dates to take her on, but never show her that I love her...I do not love her. When thinking about something begins to be what we pat ourselves on the back about, but we never do what we think, the truth is that we have accomplished nothing.

So what does this have to do with life? God consistently says that empty sacrifices mean nothing, but it is mercy and steadfast love that makes a difference and pleases the lover of our souls . (Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 1:11; Psalm 51:16; 1 Samuel 15:22) It was Jesus who didn't just say from the throne room, "I love you." Instead, he, "emptied himself" and came to show us what true love looks like when lived out. (Philippians 2:7) He took action on what he "thought."

I see so many people today posting online about their thoughts, how others are wrong about "their" thoughts, and how we need space to talk, think and consider. Please hear me when I say that there is nothing wrong with those things; until they become the end. Life is not that hard! We have two basic instructions: Love God and Love People (I do add a third "policy," and that is: Don't be stupid!). Outside of those two basic ideas, there really is not much to consider. Sure, we can ask questions like, "What does it mean to love?" I love thinking, and dreaming, of ways to love. However, this question is what got the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day in so much trouble when it became their goal. They kept asking what does this mean to the point that they could rationalize the basics into a complicated religious system.

Today is a new day. Today is a day to think. However, let me implore you to act. Pay for the person's meal in the line behind you. Walk over to the neighbor this afternoon and invite them over for a cookout this weekend. Take time to read God's word, and not ask for anything, but rather praise the Lord for the many blessings in your life. Go to the boss, who always seems to be cranky, and let them know that you appreciate them. Plan a special time with your spouse. Have a game night with your kids. Volunteer at the downtown mission ~ and bring your family with you. There are 7.3 billion people on this earth, and that means there are at least 7.3 billion amazing ways to love God and love others on this day. Go be Jesus, emptying yourself, and thereby bring the Kingdom of God into this world...today!