THE PROTÉGÉ EFFECT

On random days, I'll suddenly have a desire to study the most random things. 🤗
Last week was a bit of Neuroscience. 🤣
I know I really hoped I'd become a neurosurgeon, but as far as we stand, I can only dissect the Word of Truth 😃

Anyway, my study centred around neuroplasticity and the effect of habituality. I didn't even know why I was reading into all these things, but somewhere in my reading I came across a phrase: “The Protégé Effect.”

The idea is fascinating and cites that ;
We tend to learn something more deeply when we study it with the expectation that we will teach it. Not necessarily because we will actually stand before a class and teach it, but because the expectation of teaching changes the way we engage with what we're learning.

And I immediately thought of Philippians 4:9:
the things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do.
Paul had just told them what to think on:

Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report if there is any virtue and anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.

And then he says:
the things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do or in other words practise them.

And this is where my random neuroscience study became rather interesting. 😂 neuroplasticity speaks to the brain's ability to adapt and strengthen neural connections through repeated experience, attention and practice.

In simple terms, what we repeatedly practise becomes easier for the brain to recognise and retrieve.
And isn't there something beautiful about seeing that principle alongside Scripture?

Paul isn't saying, “Think nice thoughts.

As we continually set our minds on what is true, pure, noble, lovely and praiseworthy, and then practise those things, we are forming pathways where those virtues become a norm.
The more we practise truth, the more familiar truth becomes.

The more we practise what is good, the more readily we recognise what contradicts it and perhaps that's why Scripture places such emphasis on renewing the mind.

So maybe my random neuroscience rabbit hole wasn't so random after all , I went looking at the brain and somehow ended up back at the renewing of the mind.

My desire is this , may my patterns be consistently shaped by the truth of God's Word as I delight in it .

PROMPTED? OBEY!

Yes, we live in an age where big and small tasks can be completed simply by prompting.

You need a payment made? Prompt.

You need something created? Prompt to generate it.

And one thing about a prompt is that it calls for a response.

When you’re prompted to make a payment, you don’t usually sit there contemplating it for three days. 😂 You act immediately.

Why?

Because a prompt is an invitation to action, not long overdue  deliberation.

And it had me thinking about our obedience to God.

The Holy Spirit will prompt you to do something or not do something. But sometimes, instead of responding, we begin to debate and deliberate.

Our what ifs become loud, and eventually we find ourselves saying, “Maybe later.”

We negotiate with a prompting that was meant to produce obedience and ultimately lead us where God wants us to be.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

Think about it this way: when a teller prompts you to complete a payment, you don’t get to choose your own convenient time indefinitely. The prompt may expire, and you may have to initiate the process again.

You proceed to obey because the prompt was calling for a response from your end.

And sometimes, I wonder how many times we ask God to speak again and again  when He has already spoken.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth (John 14:17). He doesn't just tell us what to do and leave us to figure it out on our own. He leads us, accompanies us, and empowers us to walk in what He is asking of us.

So, when He prompts you, be quick to obey.

You don't need to understand everything before you obey everything He has clearly instructed you to do.

The prompt is not the destination Our response is .

And this is what He says:

✨ “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” — Psalm 32:8

His leading calls for our trust and willingness to follow.

✨ “Follow Me.” — Matthew 4:19

       this is enough divine instruction.

✨ “I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” — Psalm 119:60

              obey with urgency .

When the Spirit prompts, don't negotiate, obey.

DailyWell — Peace ✨