Awareness

There is an interesting brain condition in humans called low latent inhibition (LLI). A very rare condition, it is acquired at birth and can have one of two results: insanity or creative genius.

It works something like this: The average person is born with what doctors call latent inhibition, which basically means everyone has a certain level of incoming stimuli that our brains automatically filter out. We must if we are to keep our sanity; if your brain had to process every single piece of data that entered, we simply could not keep up with the data flow.

However, if a person has low latent inhibition, their brains are unable to filter the information that enters the brain. For example, when we look at an everyday object, such as a household appliance, we just see the object and process the image. A person with LLI, on the other hand, sees everything. Each part and piece is analyzed. All their senses are attuned to what is happening.

Obvious, this condition has both benefits and disadvantages. For example, a person with a low IQ who has LLI will most likely suffer from mental illness, as their brain does not have the power to handle the intense flow of information. However, if a person with a high IQ has LLI, it almost always results in creative genius. This is because they are so aware of their intently aware of their surroundings and how things work together, as their brain process each component of every object.

With this condition, there are interesting results. People with LLI are very perceptive of others; they can easily see into people and judge character. They are often extremely aware of the feelings of the people around them.

I’m sure by now that you’re wondering how this condition has anything to do with foreign missions. As with many things in this world, there is a lesson we can learn.

Imagine what it would be like if Christians were as aware, in the spiritual sense, of the world around them as someone with LLI is. What would it be like if we were as in tune to the people around us as they are?

Perhaps one of the greatest hindrances to missions is that of ignorance. People simply stay out of touch with what is happening, and in the process completely miss the incredible needs in the world today. We form little bubbles of Christians and then spend our days praising God while millions live and die without having ever heard of Christ.

Are you aware of the needs of the people around you? Apparently Christians in America aren’t doing a great job. If you don’t believe me, look at the incredible amount of suffering happening in this country alone, and then compare it with the efforts attempted to make a difference. And if that does not convince you, consider how it’s been two thousand years since Christ came, and yet multitudes are still unaware of the Gospel.

Here is my challenge to you: teach yourself to be more aware of the needs of those around you. Learn to look at the world with new eyes, trying to see what needs to be done. If you feel you don’t know enough about foreign missions, then do your best to change that.

What are you doing to change the world?

-Reagan Schrock, GOA blog manager