echurch

written by Stephan Joubert

When we are challenged by new ideas, opinions or ways of seeing the world, we often give up current beliefs and learn new ones. Obviously, unlearning is very difficult — otherwise the world would have been a totally different place! It requires the realization that our mental models are deficient or in need of serious updating. Then we have to change or adjust them, which, in turn, implies dismantling our present world and replacing it with a new one. We now have to make sense of a confusing array of new information, impulses and objects. Through a process of continuous learning, new mental models are built inside us to make sense of our world in a fresh new way! But unlearning is critical in this regard. “If we don’t learn to deconstruct the models that shape our worlds, we may have a very difficult time in creating new ones. The old worlds will keep coming back to haunt us.” (Jerry Wind & Colin Crook, 2006. The Power of Impossible Thinking. Transform the Business of your Life and the Life of your Business, Wharton, p. 162).

In order to relearn to live a life saturated in God’s grace, we need a quest. We need a new way of doing life in a grace-based relationship with God and others that will provide ultimate purpose, direction and passion in our lives.

By the way, there’s a big difference between an adventure and a quest. Often an adventure is just a nice way to pass the time. It’s an exciting way to get rid of boredom and shun normal daily routines. But adventures seldom, if ever, turn into fully-fledged quests, into life-changing missions or pursuits. Adventures help to fill the time with energetic activities, but once that particular adventure is over, the emptiness usually returns. Great adventures, such as climbing a difficult mountain, running a tough marathon, or taking dance classes, help to fill the time with meaningful activities. But that’s about it. Adventures make our hearts beat faster for a while. They bring new meaning to our life for a certain space of time. But all adventures have a sell-by date. Eventually they come to an end. Then another adventure or another adrenaline rush is needed to fill the boring gaps.

Surely, there’s more to life than a few adrenaline-rush adventures with boring time slots surrounding it. Life should be a quest. It should be about fulfilling God’s dream for us.