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Making Investments

Some people have sufficient money to risk investing it in stocks, bonds, or other enterprises in the hope that it will produce a profitable return. There are other types of investments such as marriage and raising children. This is something in which a person “invests” himself. Another way a person can make a complete investment is his religious faith. For a Christian this means trusting (faith) that Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected in payment for our sins (1Cor 15:1-4).

Less obvious investments can be a favorite sports team, political party, conspiracy theory, or even brand of beer or automobile. In a consumer culture a lot of advertising money is invested in getting as many people as possible to align themselves with a particular brand or product. One convenience of this type of alignment is that uncomfortable assessments can be avoided when one always buys the same brand of something.

A psychological phenomena was observed when one group of students was paid $10/hr. to do a boring job and another group was paid $1/hr. In describing the job to others the higher paid group was pretty honest about the work saying it was boring, but the pay was good. Surprisingly the lower paid group described the work as interesting or challenging. The hypothesis was that those in the lower paid group invented reasons (distorted truth) to explain why they accepted such low pay. However, more than a scientific discovery, it should have been axiomatic that people lie to themselves to feel good.

The gal who goes to college with the anticipation of learning about human behavior through psychology often ends up with a degree and is only able to classify and label certain behaviors. However, this investment often makes one certain of their understanding and professional expertise. Similarly the young man bound for seminary anticipating learning all about God often ends up with a set of responses with which to deflect criticism of denominational distinctives.

Real learning is about following truth. It is expansive more than restrictive. It is free from the investment of identity which can trigger defensive distortions, restrict inquiry, and inhibit growth. The investment of self in a perpetual search for truth .rather than maintaining a static defensive position often sets one at odds with the rest of the world, but can be personally rewarding.

Hearing something new or even challenging can be an opportunity to grow. Even if the “new” information is not correct, it can be useful to consider it or even offer an alternative. However, when conversing with someone who himself has his identity invested in a particular position, it may be kind not to trigger his defenses. Discussions of truth seldom benefit from the emotional intensity of invested identity.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. - Romans 12:18

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