The term “paradigm” has be come popular in many circles today as a way of describing one’s mental model. Each of us is influenced by a mental model we constantly shape, reshape and protect. Paradigms are based on our life experiences, primarily the education and socialization we received from our family and friends. Paradigms influence the way we see things in the world and are the filters for judgment about what we believe is right and wrong. Paradigms help us to determine our goals and what we expect from our lives.
A paradigm dramatically changes
Sometimes our paradigms “shift,” or are altered. When this happens, usually by a significant experience or breakthrough in our lives, our filter for looking at life changes.
When she was nine years old, my daughter was certain that “fast rides” at amusement parks (especially roller coasters), were definitely not for her.
She saw no pleasure in being hurtled through space and diving at sharp angles toward the ground below. No matter how many reassurances she received from family or friends, she was not willing to accept a new mental model on this issue — No Way!
A year later, as we were leaving a local amusement park after a long, fatiguing day, she announced to me she would indeed give the dreaded Corkscrew roller coaster a try. Nervously, she stood in line and eventually reached her seat in the roller coaster. Then, we were off, and her paradigm would never be the same. Though she never made a sound during the ride (or changed her horrified facial expression), she happily announced after we were safely 100 yards away from the roller coaster that it was “okay” Today, there is no roller coaster steep enough, no free-falling ride fast enough for her. All is fair game — her paradigm had shifted.
What does this have to do with our faith and our walk in the Truth? I would submit that it represents a significant key to our development as disciples of our Lord We, too, have our paradigms of fear, walls that prevent us from reaching new awareness and levels of service Too often, we don’t take the step that my daughter did, and we live our lives not fully appreciating the real beauties and challenges of the Truth.
Sell that ye have
In Luke 18, a young ruler ran to Jesus and fell at his feet “Good Master, what shall I do (‘what good thing’ in Matthew 19) to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’ answer was very practical and generic — follow the commandments The young man acknowledged Jesus’ response and said he had kept the commands from his youth.
The young ruler then asked a question for the ages, “What lack I yet?” (Mt 19 20) Jesus knew just what to answer The young ruler was very rich “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor” The stunned man must have thought, “Lord, anything but that!” Matthew tells us the young man “went away sorrowful for he had great possessions.”
What about our paradigms?
No doubt we can all sympathize with the young ruler Sometimes our paradigm for the Truth has steep walls of defense against unwanted intrusions We all have a perspective of what we think the “Truth” is and what it should be m our lives This is what determines our level of involvement in the ecclesia, the amount of Bible study we do, our willingness to serve brethren and the quality of our prayer lives.
It is easy to be comfortable within our little paradigms Yet the Truth is not about walls and it is not about living without ambiguity m the world The Lord challenges us m our lives to be willing each day to expand our paradigm of the Truth, to venture into areas where we are not completely comfortable When we are courageous and willing, if necessary, to change our minds or expand our understanding, our faith can grow We can be introduced by our Lord to more opportunities to serve and we can become of greater value to him.
The young ruler may never have thought his religious experience would require him to give up his possessions He may have loved the Truth, but on his terms, Jesus took him m one moment to a violent collision with his paradigm about the Truth Did he change and give to the poor, or did he just walk away sorrowfully? We do not know what the answer was for this young man.
How far will we go for Christ?
What would the answer be if we asked Jesus the question, “What lack I yet?” Are we really ready for the Lord’s challenges? Would we be willing to alter our view of what the Truth should be like in our lives and then take the necessary steps to make this happen, or would we walk away sorrowfully?
Improving our paradigm of the Truth can represent a fundamental challenge for each disciple who yearns for growth and stronger faith Accepting the challenge allows the Lord to shape our character and lead us in paths of righteousness In the end, our religious experience is enriched as we learn to rely on the Lord to renew our minds to more closely match his.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One