the two faces of sense-making: a Thanksgiving perspective

"sense-making" - the cognitive activity of understanding our self and the world around us

TWO types of cognition


"Carnal mind" - our natural way of thinking as a human being (Bible calls "the flesh")
 based on Social Exchange, which explains that human understanding is constrained by the "norm of reciprocity" - the force that holds relationships together is the value that passes between them. Similarly humans are "obsessed" with fairness and Equity Theory suggests that a person must maintain equilibrium between what we receive and what we give based on some standard of fairness within the individual's frame of reference.
Thus, we give with an expectation of getting and we receive with an obligation to give back
Expectation "tees up" hurt feelings, sadness, and anger. Obligation fosters guilt and legalism.
Sense-making flows from circumstances - what is experienced through our physical senses.

"Kingdom mind" - this is a way of thinking made available to us when we are transformed by redemptive work of the Cross (Bible calls "the spirit")
based on Grace - God's acting on our behalf because we could and would not
Thus, we give with no expectation of receiving and we receive with no obligation to give back OR we give and receive out of thanksgiving for the grace that has been bestowed on us.
Sense-making flows from faith in the invisible and eternal sovereign work of God through His son Jesus that puts us in "harmony with the Heavenlies".

THIS GIFT of GRACE IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE "MINDFUL" OF THIS AND EVERY THANKSGIVING!!!