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Basic Instinct

Basic Instinct

Every time I arrive home after dark, my dogs leap off the front porch with bristled hair. They bark frantically and angrily until they recognize me. After a few seconds they realize it’s me in the dark of the night and rush to greet me. They have to take a second to overcome their basic instinct to protect their home. As humans sometimes we are similar.

Have you ever noticed that when you are taken by surprise, your first reaction is usually the wrong one? We do not seem to be wired for the unexpected. When life throws us a curveball, it usually takes us some time and an attitude adjustment to recalculate.

I’ve concluded that I am very thankful that God created us with a built-in system to recognize danger, but I am even more thankful that He gave us a mind to recalculate with when our basic instincts overrule careful thinking. As we invest more and more time with God His presence in our mind seems to guide us to his thoughts on a more consistent level.

In Romans, Paul tells us the importance of renewing our mind. As we invest more time with the thoughts of Christ through prayer, scripture reading, and fellowship with other believers, our basic instincts begin to slowly change. Having the mind of Christ gives us a chance to adjust more quickly when those curveballs come our way.

Curveballs and storms will come, but remember, God is faithful. He didn’t save you to spoil your life, but to glorify himself and give us fellowship with him eternally. When the storms and curveballs come, already stepping beside the one who can renew our mind can save us from our own quick reactions. Close, continual fellowship with Him can keep us from slamming on the brake and jerking the steering wheel as we go into a skid. Close fellowship allows for small, safe, steering corrections. It’s always best to adjust early before we swing ferociously as the curveball whizzes past us.

Eric Bowman

 

Eric Bowman ovalEric is our associate pastor, working with outreach and youth ministry as well as adult discipleship and growth. Eric retired from a 28-year career in public education as a high school band director in 2019 and is now living his lifelong dream as a pastor. Eric and his wife, Diana, continue to live in Henry County where they have been lifetime residents. They "raised" three children and are now making their best attempt at "raising" themselves.


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