“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8).

For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. (II Corinthians 2:16)

I am not smart enough. Don’t smirk; neither are you.

Researchers say we possess “bounded rationality” which means we all make decisions with only limited information and very limited brains. And yet, God trusts us with massive responsibilities: a wife or husband, children, a business and employees, homes, cars, retirement portfolios, and visions and dreams for a preferred future. Knowing what you know about yourself, do you think this was a good idea? But God loads us down with blessing, so much in fact we can’t possibly manage it completely.

We are not smart enough and life is a set up for failure. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts.” Which is why God teaches us to pray. We are on the planet to learn conversational dependence. I love the simple prayer of Pastor Morris Vaagenes: “I can’t. You can. Please do. Thank you.”

When we admit our “bounded rationality” he shares his “boundless rationality” with us. Paul’s claim is actually audacious: “…For we have the mind of Christ.” No, my thoughts cannot be God’s, but His can be mine! I have the mind of Christ. I can pray for his way of thinking, his perspective, his attitude, his insight, his creativity, his logic, his memory, his forgetfulness, his common sense, his strategic foresight – ALL OF HIS MIND – to pervade me.

Wow!

Jesus, you are brilliant and wise. When I give you access to my life you give me access to yours. Today I need your way of thinking. I have a challenge or two before me that are beyond my pay grade. I can’t think fast enough or clearly enough. But you can and do. Do so now, in me. Amen!

Now you are thinking!