I came across some reviews about a book published last year, You Are What You Love, by James K. A. Smith. While I have not read the book, what was said about it prompted me to engage in further reflection. I pass on to you two of the comments made and my ponderings.
Interestingly, the first comment is fitting for the current season. Brandon O’Brien writes: “Anyone who has ever failed to keep a New Year’s resolution will accept the thesis of [the book]: Human beings don’t do what we know we ought to do; instead, we do what, deep down, we want to do. Smith convinced me that the key to discipleship is not changing how people think, but changing what people love.”
I believe there is no need to pit thinking against loving. Yet there may be value in recognizing a hierarchy of influence and motivation. That is, a person’s love and passion will usually determine his or her behavior more than the amount of knowledge he or she may have about a matter. Often, what is known will be harnessed to serve the interests and concerns of what is loved.
It is true that Paul points out how important our way of thinking is in pursuing the things that matter to God: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12.2 NIV). But notice that the transformed mind is focused on what God wants. That is, the transformation is premised on one’s love for God, the desire to obey and serve God.
So Jesus himself directs us to the core of the matter: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12.30 NIV). It might be worth noting that it is love that binds together heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love is the fuel that will drive the engine made up of one’s will, emotions, thinking, and ability to act. In other words, love is what will harness the fullness of our being toward a specific action.
A second comment is by Jenell Williams Paris who highlights the significance of love in the practice of worship. “By understanding worship not merely as church attendance, but as love, devotion, and attention, Smith enables readers to see their true love—their true objects of worship—in a new light.” I agree. Our act of worship, how passionate we are to worship, very much exposes our true love, and our true self as well.
Thinking of a New Year’s resolution? How about resolving to direct your love to the One who can make the change that we really need?
—Keith Y. Jainga