As Chapter 8 of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day continues, Mark Batterson discusses the topic of divergent spirituality. He begins by citing a fascinating study on divergent thinking- thinking outside the box. That study found that 98% of three to five year olds scored in the genius category for divergent thinking. By age twenty-five, that percentage had dipped to 2%.
The solution, according to author John Putzier, is “tapping your natural weirdness”. Pastor Batterson adds that this solution also is one key to divergent spirituality. He notes that God loves variety and speaks/acts in divergent ways. For example, we are called to conform to Christ, a nonconformist!
Thus holiness is not to be equated with cultural conformity. Righteousness is not measured by adherence to dress codes or verbal codes. Pastor Batterson asserts that “one dimension of spiritual growth is coming to terms with who we are and who we’re not.” Society’s goal, he observes, is to make us less foolish. As a result, our inner fool may be shackled and caged. But Jesus came to free the fool and redeem our God-given potential. As the author concludes, it’s not about doing everything “correctly”, but about making a unique contribution.
Today’s question: What creative or divergent facets of ministry/vocation have you felt led to explore following your job loss? Please share.
Coming Monday: the Annotated Bibliography of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
Tomorrow’s blog: “The sky’s the limit”
