You Can Be a Genius

You Can Be a Genius

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NRSV

Are you a genius? You know, like Einstein? Or Sheldon on "Big Bang Theory"? You might think you are. You might be waiting for the world - or your kids, or your parents, or your teachers, or your co-workers - to recognize what a genius you really are. Good luck with that.

The author, Elizabeth Gilbert (http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html), sheds some light on how the meaning of "genius" has changed over the centuries. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, you wouldn't say that someone *is* a genius; you'd say someone *has* a genius. It's an important distinction.

The Romans had the idea that a "genius" was like a house elf or spirit that whispered inspiring ideas to you. Or, if your genius wasn't very bright, s/he whispered stupid ideas that got you in trouble; your genius was more of a demon than a helper. If you had a friendly genius, it would guide you, comfort you, help you accomplish far more than you could on your own.

I don't believe the Apostle Paul ever used the word for genius, but his understanding of how God works sounds as though it's not far from his mind. At the end of his letter to the church in Ephesus, the Roman-Jewish Apostle Paul gives this beautiful benediction:

"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…."

When Paul talks about God being at work within us, it's kind of like he's talking about God as a genius. God is the whispering voice that guides, inspires, comforts. We hear God's voice when we're quieter. That's because geniuses rarely shout. God is our shared genius.

If we can get back to the original Roman idea of "genius," it could be kind of exciting. Because even if you're no genius in the I.Q. department, you can definitely be someone else's genius. You can whisper or even shout words of guidance, inspiration, and comfort. You can encourage someone to see things in a new way. You can help someone be better than he or she could ever be on their own. Of course, it's always their choice whether to accept your genius, but you can at least offer.

Go be someone's whispering genius today. Even if you're no genius yourself, listen for the genius of God, guiding, inspiring, and comforting you, able to accomplish abundantly far more than all you can ask or imagine.