The future of the writer and that of the thinker intersects at the corners of awareness and imagination, based upon the treasure within the heart of the writer/speaker. History exposes many examples of unprecedented performances of human genius following a simple question. " What if? " What if Black people and White people and Jews and Catholic and Protestants could someday hold hands in the streets of America and sing the lyrics of the old Negro spirituals, Free-at-Last, Free-at-Last; Thank God almighty...we're free at last." Those famous words are the result of a man's courage to ask, What if?
It all starts with the treasure of the heart.
Leonardo DaVinci believed that to master a problem, it is necessary to break down its form. It is often in the process of restructuring that we develop a new perspective. Our first view of circumstances leading to labeling what we see as a "problem" is biased by definition. Once the "problem" becomes restructured it becomes a new set of circumstances, and is no longer seen as a problem.
One of the greatest values in writing non-fiction rest in the writer's ability to unfold nuggets of wisdom in following the question, 'what if?" This process is also one of the greatest services thought leaders bring to the world. What if you restructured the problem before you? What value will it yield and how will the question best serve?
Jesus Christ best demonstrates this phenomenon in a parable in Luke Chapter 7 of the Holy Bible. He delineates a measure of wisdom in a way that only he can. One of the Pharisees desired that Jesus would come and dine with him which Jesus did. A woman of questionable regard understood that Jesus would be there and she, also, went to the Pharisee's house, but she brought an alabaster box of ointment with her.
In the eyes of an onlooker this unholy union presents a problem. The Pharisee, not unlike some modern day Christians who lack understanding, judged that since light has no association with darkness, why then was Jesus Christ associating with this woman? Like some modern day small minds lacking the gift of understanding, it appears that the birds of a feather theory was applicable here.
Now, what if we stop at the door of judgment and ask what if? What if there is a reason the woman entered the house with good intentions as she carried the alabaster box of ointment? Because the spirit within us cannot exist in two places at the same time, we cannot harbor judgment and wisdom at the same time and in the same space. At this point, wise individuals question what they feel but the arrogant remain in a fool's paradise. What if we suspend judgment and look further-what wisdom might we find and pass on as a great service?
This restructuring process allows us to access dimensions beyond the limits of self and far beyond the known. By postponing judgment we allow ourselves to explore the vast unknown with self-appointed receptors or with an open mind.The area of unbiased observation invites genius. Genius is often the result of a different perspective. The question, "what if?" often paves the road to new perspective. It is perspective that yields nuggets of wisdom. As writers and thinkers we have that power in our hands, that is the power to influence perspective.
Again, the first view is often biased and emanates from self, not from the observed. Such was the case with the Pharisee .( Luke 7:39) He reasoned in his mind, that if Jesus was who he said he was, he would have known what manner of woman it was who touched him.
In the following verse, Jesus answered this man with a parable, a most effective way of conveying wisdom without creating defensive behavior with the listener. Jesus said there was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed $500.00 (excusing the difference in currency at the time) and the other owed $50. When the creditor discovered they had nothing to pay, he, the creditor forgave both of them. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most?
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And Jesus said unto him, Thou has rightly judged.
Can you see how Simon's judgment was changed from flawed to enlightenment from the basis of a single parable? I suggest to you, that restructuring of the problem with a loving heart, yields wisdom, for the treasure of the heart the mouth does speak.
Jesus went on to express the fact that the woman had serviced him as he, Jesus, entered the Pharisees house but the Pharisee had not serviced Jesus at all. She had loved much.
"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
What is it that you judge as a problem that can be restructured from the treasure of your heart? What have you asked forgiveness for that your love may, also shine?
