We’re all different from each other—to some degree. And we’re all like one another—to some degree.
OK, I get that.
And special attention is being paid to this in cognitive science these days, the idea being that most of us are somewhat “neurotypical”, while others of us are “neurodiverse”—the particular idea of which being that we are somehow, to put it in everyday language, “wired differently.”
OK, I get that, too. And I think there’s most likely something to that, though I cannot say at this point how much. I also wonder whether it might not actually be part of God’s design somehow. But that’s a question that’s far beyond my pay grade!
But let’s get to the point! I want to talk about how Larry is the sort to need to “sound things out” when he’s thinking, and how Billy is not. And I want to talk about how George is the sort who thinks that everything he says needs to make sense, where Thomas is not. And I want to talk about how Chad thinks our reasoning should be consistent, where Chet doesn’t. And how Fred has to wear sunglasses under fluorescent lighting, while Max feels like he can’t “connect” with people if he can’t readily see into their eyes when they’re in a disucssion. And these people can drive each other nuts!
And is this diversity somebody’s fault? Or is this just how it is? And what’s supposed to be done about it? Are we supposed to get along together? Or are we supposed to avoid those who are most difficult for us? What’s to be our view of this?
Well, those are good questions, all. But they’re not the questions I really want to ask in this post. So let me get to it.
Let me paint a scene in which Person A “triggers” Person B in some such way, and Person B triggers Person C, and so forth, on down to Person Z. And let’s suppose that it’s even more complicated than this. That is, let’s say that Person C triggers people in more than one way, and that in our group of 26, there are 9 different people that Person C triggers. And let’s just say that Person A only triggers 2, and Person Q triggers 19, and so forth.
It’s quite the messy scenario, is it not? And I could ask all these questions over again:
Is this somebody’s fault? Or is this just how it is? And what’s supposed to be done about it? Are we supposed to get along together? Or are we supposed to avoid those who are most difficult for us? What’s to be our view of this?
But I’m not going to ask those things. Instead, what I’m going to ask is this:
What if Jesus is one of those 26 people, and what if his way of doing things, or thinking, or talking, will “trigger” some number of people in the group? Consider these what-ifs:
- What if Jesus talks in parables to the person who doesn’t like to process stories?
- What if he deals directly with individuals who would rather be dealt with only in groups?
- What if he requires courage of the timid?
- What if he requires accountability of people with authority issues?
- What if he requires a close bond with people who are predisposed to being aloof?
- What if he wants to deal with specifics with someone who prefers to deal in generalities?
- What if he wants to correct something about a person who is triggered by all correction as if it were a personal condemnation or attack?
- What if he wants to challenge the traditions of someone whose sense of “safety” is strongest when surrounded by tradition?
- What if he doesn’t provided as much affirmation or reassurance as some think they need?
- What if he gives orders without giving the full accompanying explanations that some think they need?
- What if he runs a text-based religion, but not everybody likes to read or study—or knows how?
- What if he wants people to grow and learn and mature, when they’d feel safer staying as they are?
- What if he expects people to endure dangers and pains and challenges that they don’t think they can endure—or simply don’t want to?
- What if he doesn’t run the church or the world (or whatever else) the way that some think he ought to run them?
- What if he doesn’t personally interact with an individual believer as much as the individual expects or wants?
- What if Jesus’ hard talk to certain individuals triggers some into thinking that Jesus had no other traits than hardness?
- What if Jesus’ kind talk to certain individuals triggers some into thinking that Jesus had no other traits than kindness?
- What if Jesus requires interactions with other people who are likely to trigger you?
If Jesus is one of those people who triggers certain things in certain people, then what does this say about how we ought to view our plight through all the neurodiversity and triggers? Suppose we take the view that came up in one of the questions I posed before—that we should simply stay away from those who trigger us—that we should simply avoid those whom we find difficult or awkward or taxing. What does it mean if we take that tack with Jesus? Can we be close to him while keeping our distance from him?
Well, sadly, I think that a great many people try just that! They’re not willing to endure many difficulties for the sake of Jesus, so they only get from Jesus what they can get easily. And that means leaving a lot of him un-got.
I do think that Jesus is the most misunderstand man in all of Christianity—and largely for this reason. Too many want a Jesus who is more convenient and accommodating than the real Jesus is for them. And so I think there’s a lot of make-believe that goes on in Christian circles—wishing her were more convenient and less awkward for us.
But he is who he is.
And perhaps it is we who are supposed to change, deferring to his greatness.
But what if this triggers those who believe most in “being true to yourself”? What if it’s simply a fact that one cannot serve two masters, yet someone wants both to be “true to himself” and to say that “Jesus is Lord”?
There is not a person alive—neurotypical or neurodiverse—who does not have to endure difficulties in this world, and who does not have to wrestle with himself if he wants to walk well in the Image and in the Way of God. I believe this is the very point of our being here—that we must choose whether to love Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength—or something less than this amount.
We know what the command says, but many of us are not so willing to let it be the last word, and have to have our own say.
I’m all for recognizing neurodiversity and individuality for whatever it is, but the tide of “self” is so strong in our culture these days, and it is permeated the churches far more than many are willing to admit. And I’m going to cut this short, for there is no end to what could—and should—be said about that.
