Spontaneous but not Random

I completed a very good book titled "Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking", by Malcolm Gladwell.

It was excellent! In the last month, I've been consuming Gladwell books. I have read Outliers, then David and Goliath and then I finished Blink.

All of these books were great and I recommend you check them out!

One of the concepts he touched on in Blink was:

"Spontaneous, but not Random"

He used the following interesting analogies to explain what this means in practical terms.

Gladwell explained that in the sport of basketball, when a player is on the court during a game, they make thousands of split second spontaneous decisions, however it is far from random. There has been great preparation, coaching, plays called that all contribute to the direction and tempo of the game.

The same is true for us. In life we make many daily decisions and choices on how we spend our time that can seem somewhat spontaneous, a route we drive to work, a store we stop at, a book we decide to read, a show we watch, etc. We may say hi to a stranger in the grocery store, someone may ask us directions while we are out running (this happened to me yesterday). I have been thinking that some of these events may also not be as random as they seem. They could in fact be opportunities for us to help or bless someone, or even be helped or blessed by someone.

One spontaneous thing I have done before is ask someone what country they are from and offer to share a free movie with them that is in their native language via email using the Jesus Film App, or point them to download the app themselves. This spontaneous exchange has the opportunity to change someone's life! I would also say that it is far from random.

The second example Gladwell gives of Spontaneous, but not Random was Improv comedy clubs. These by nature are very spontaneous and seemingly random. To be effective in Improv there are certain guidelines and frameworks that are to be followed to keep the process flowing. While spontaneous, it is far from random. Like basketball, effective Improv is the result of good training, practice and following the basic guidelines that keep the dialogue moving. One of those rules is to always agree and say yes.

If you want to be spontaneous, it is important to start saying yes. Someone asks you to run a race, say yes. I did that recently an ran my first half-marathon. Someone invites you out to lunch, say yes. If you get the tugging on your heart to help someone in need, say yes!

This book has made me think about ways I can be more spontaneous, but not random.

My father, a pastor/missionary, who passed away last year while serving in Haiti once wrote that

"I am going to attempt to capture the eternity of the moment"

He was a man who was very spontaneous, but far from random. I learned from him that our spontaneous, momentary decisions can have an eternal impact. I encourage you to be Spontaneous today, while seeing that what we do is far from Random.

This has the potential to be a game changer in how we live our lives!

Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field with a twist

Think Different!

The late Steve Jobs had what has been described as a Reality Distortion Field (RDF). This enabled him and others to accomplish great things that appeared at times to defy "reality" in the realm of technology and business.

Is it possible to enact a similar principle from a Biblical viewpoint?

I believe it is possible and have been thinking of it lately as an "Eternal Perspective Field" or EPF for short. 

An Eternal Perspective Field enables you to get a glimpse of God's viewpoint even when your "reality" seems negative and difficult.

The situation you are facing may appear to be impossible, but with an Eternal Perspective Field you begin to see impossible things start to happen. You defy reality and start seeing negative and hard situations working together for your ultimate good.

A person who really got this was Joseph of the Bible. He was "a dreamer" and we are told his brothers hated him for that. As a result of their hate towards him, they eventually sold him into slavery and falsified his death. He was also falsely accused of a crime that got him thrown in jail. He spent several years there in jail. He went through all these trials, yet somehow he stayed positive and still used his gifts and abilities to accomplish what he believed God called him to do. He even became the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt. His insights and God given gifts saved the nation(s) and his whole family. By sight, his situation seemed impossible. This would of been impossible for a person who didn't have the divine viewpoint that Joseph possessed. With his Eternal Perspective Field, it all worked out!

When he eventually reveals himself to his brothers years after they sold him into slavery he says "do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you". If that is not a good example of Eternal Perspective, than I don't know what is.

Despite the tremendous adversity he experienced, he displays redemption and forgiveness towards his brothers. He revealed his eternal perspective throughout his life, which helped him thrive despite adversity. 

I believe Joseph enacted what could be described as an Eternal Perspective Field to get through the hard times. This perspective is what ultimately shaped him into becoming the man and success history records for us. 

So whatever your going through don't be discouraged by what you see with your eyes. Rather, have an EPF and act accordingly, realizing that everything you do and everything that is happening can have an impact for eternity. How you react and think about a situation matters. Think differently!

When you realize that what you do has eternal value, it changes how you live your life.

Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field enabled him to accomplish great things and drive people to accomplish what seemed impossible in business and technology.

An Eternal Perspective Field can have a similar effect and literally change your life and possibly the course of history.

You may be viewed by some as crazy from time to time, but the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do!