Impulsivity

Casting nets on the Sea of Galilee

 Throughout my life as an educator I have noticed the struggles of students who are impulsive, and have had a great sympathy for them.  My teacher in elementary school said once, in exasperation, "Ginger, you're never one to just use one finger with the paint.  You always end up with all ten fingers in it!"  It was a little glimpse into my own tendency to jump in wholeheartedly, often before considering the entire task that lay before me.

And so I have cared for other children and college students with the same ailment.  They tend to get themselves into a peck of trouble when they act without thinking, as with the college student who saw some kids playing by the river on a school day.  My student was out gathering specimens for his botany class, and, being goofy, pulled out his driver's license, flashed it and told the kids they were in trouble for swimming in the river.  Stupid?  Yes.  Mean intentions?  No.  But the kids told a ranger back at the parking lot, and before he knew it, Mark (not his real name) was under some intense questioning for "impersonation of a law officer."  It cost him his first student teaching placement, as the principal at that school was not comfortable accommodating him, once she heard about the incident.

On the other hand, Mark was one of the most warm-hearted, talented young men I met as a college professor.  He had big dreams, and he realized more of them than many others, because he was unafraid to give them a try.  That is typical of impulsive people.  They stumble into great trouble, but they also can create great things, and know great love.  They are there in the present with you, paying attention (although their attention may wander quickly if you don't keep things moving).

I have met several men like Mark in Matthew 4: 18-22.  Jesus was ambling along the lake and saw Simon and Peter fishing.  He gave that well-known invitation:  "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 

"Immediately they left their nets and followed him."  How impulsive was that?

And then the three of them continued along the lake and encountered James and John mending nets with their father.  Again the invitation was given.

"Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him."  Again I'm left breathless by the seeming impulsivity.

Could it be that Jesus had a special spot in his heart for impulsive, hands-on, ADHD disciples?  Somehow that changes my idea of a sedate group of thirteen men wandering around the Palestinian landscape in those days.  Now they're scrapping about this or that, or saying (in the midst of a point Jesus is trying to make) "Hey!  Look at that over there!", or hugging each other and dancing around when they're excited, or suggesting that they call down fire from heaven on someone who's come at cross purposes with them.  I can just see Jesus rolling his eyes from time to time, reminding them of who they are and where they are, and loving their open-book, impulsive hearts.  They are "ten fingers in the paint" kinds of men.

Why would Jesus choose disciples who had a bent toward impulsivity?  My guess is that He saw their open-hearted energy and willingness to act as being a bonus for the Kingdom.  They didn't sit down and analyze an issue or a goal to death before moving.  These were people who recognized a call and responded to it immediately when it came, arriving on the scene when they were still needed.  Sure, they got themselves into trouble as much as any impulsive person does, but their hearts were devoted and their intentions were good.

That's why I think impulsivity is not as bad as it's cracked up to be.