You are a genius

My Satnav has a Homer Simpson voice. When you arrive at your destination, Homer says ‘you have reached your destination and you can hold your head up high because you are a genus’.

It’s a funny moment, but the fact that I have reached my destination by following Homer’s instructions actually implies that I can’t think for myself (perhaps that I am too lazy to think for myself is closer to the truth!)

Einstein said that everyone is a genius.

Do you think he was right?

Do you feel like a genius?

Many people would think that if you have a university degree or a towering intellect then you are a genius, but is this too narrow a view?

Howard Gardner created a theory of multiple intelligences which is explained in his 1983 book ‘Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences’. Gardner sees intelligence in areas such as music, the way we relate, in athletic ability as well as in other areas.

I love the way that genius can be seen in much broader areas than just academia.

Einstein said that ‘if we judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing it is stupid’. I wonder if our educational system in the UK leaves many intelligent young people feeling stupid? I believe that everyone has amazing potential but if we believe that intelligence is only seen in a classroom then lots of us will feel highly unintelligent.

I thank God for the intelligence of the plumber who fixed my heating system recently and I am hoping that sporting intelligence will be seen in skillful displays from England footballers in a few weeks time.

I thank God that intelligence is seen and displayed in many different ways.

I believe that we are created in God’s image, that every person has value and intelligence. If you have been made to feel stupid I’m sorry and I pray that you would come to see your God given abilities and that you would realize your self worth.

How about Church? Do we help people feel intelligent or do we leave them feeling stupid because they don’t know the Bible as well as us? How do we explain things in our services and events in order to make the Christian faith accessible and understandable? How do we help people with different learning styles to learn about God and to move forward in their journey of faith? If you want to explore this, you may find it helpful to visit my page about Learning styles and Church which will help you reflect on the issues.

So let me say to you today

‘You are living your life and you can hold your head up high because you are a genus’.

Make good choices and live well and I would encourage us all to seek God and to follow his instructions for life.