Photo Courtesy of Chad Brooks
Changing Mind
Earlier this summer I was having a conversation with a friend about a particular issue. We stand on opposite sides, but thankfully, our deep friendship allows us to actually talk about it...not debate or argue.
At some point in the conversation, we both realized the strength in the conversation lies into an openness to having your mind changed. Just debating for the sake of debating or allowance doesn't work. It doesn't mean you necessarily are changing your mind, but you respect the person enough to honestly listen and care about them. But this can only work in a predetermined relationship of trust.
Since then I have reflected often on the power of changing your mind.
How many times have we picked very small hills we were willing to die on?
Are you one of those people who has to always be right and are willing to destroy relationships to stay on top?
Do you realize the relational power of letting other folks "win"? Especially if you are a person in power...this is one of the greatest pieces of leadership and respect you can exercise.
I don't ask these questions out of moral lassitude. I ask them because I want to be aware of when I might be trying to push myself on others and when I might refuse to let the Holy Spirit convict me.
As I continue to reflect on this, my prayer has been for Christ to always be changing my mind. Not to loosen things. To change my mind to constantly be seeking a deeper level of righteousness and holiness. To begin a life of always being willing for Jesus to change our minds.
I want to be confronted. I want to realize I have to change things. The moment I stop having this willingness notes a point has come where I am concentrating more on myself. This is about my relationship with Jesus and my relationship with other people.
When was the last time you changed your mind?
The Rev. Chad Brooks, a provisional elder in the Lousiana Annual Conference, serves as associate pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Monroe, La.