Introduction

In life, what you do and how you do it are paramount. Today, I speak on the consciousness of proactive thinking. If the world were to categorize thinking, it would be into two types: proactive learning and passive learning.

The outcomes of proactive learning and thinking are vastly different from those of passive learning and thinking. If you have children, ponder carefully on what I say. If a child possesses the habit of proactive thinking, learning should become significantly easier. Conversely, a habit of passive learning generally results in considerable hardship.

I have observed that many people adopt a largely passive mode of thought. If you tell them something, they comprehend it. If you do not, they remain unaware. Given that it is often impossible to describe matters in exhaustive detail to ensure their execution, you can only convey a situation. This invariably leaves room for the exercise of their thinking abilities.

The Capacity for Proactive Thinking

Is there anything in this world that does not require thought? Virtually nothing. What is meant by the consciousness of proactive thinking? It is not merely hearing and acting according to what is said, but comprehending the essence and supplementing it with one's own reflection. To begin contemplating how to proceed. For instance, in renovation, one foresees the outcome and then reasons backward. Where should I be at this stage to achieve that end?

Without this mode of thought, mistakes are inevitable, for the ultimate consequence is not considered. Without the habit of proactive thinking, the likelihood of accomplishing tasks correctly is minimal. All endeavors necessitate a proactive consciousness, as the issues and challenges we encounter often lack sufficient information or instructions to guide us to the desired endpoint. Hence, the necessity for reflection. Thought is a crucial skill and attribute. Consider pastoral care: continuously doing without thinking leads to ineffectiveness. When I query pastors about a brother's issue, they are often unable to articulate it clearly.

Emulation, replication, and imitation, devoid of proactive thought, devolve into sheer distortion, an unawareness of the prevailing circumstances. Our lives are akin to a game of chess that descends into chaos midway. Heeding every instruction without thought precludes success.

Observe closely: students in classrooms who lack proactive thought become lost five minutes into the lecture, rendering their learning arduous. Proactive thinking entails knowing what one is doing and how one should do it.

Students who proactively study and preview their textbooks, posing questions beforehand, find resolutions upon hearing the teacher's explanations. The effects of proactive versus passive thinking diverge significantly.

Scholars engage in proactive thought, simultaneously listening and reflecting, essentially grasping the key points as the teacher speaks. Real proactive learning transcends mere attendance. Even as you listen to my sermon today, disorder ensues if you fail to proactively follow my line of reasoning, ultimately transforming you into mere copy machines. Copious notes may be taken, yet their meaning remains elusive. The upshot of proactive thought is the genesis of abstraction and sublimation – a pivotal skill for life.

While teachers guide your learning in school, such guidance largely ceases upon entering the workforce. You are thrust into the environment and must then learn, comprehend, ask questions, and gather and organize information independently.

Cultivating the Consciousness of Proactive Thinking

All these – summarization, organization, abstraction, sublimation – stem from a mind engaged in proactive thought. Yet, I encounter brethren who claim an inability to think proactively. How can one be incapable? They simply insist they are. When confronted with such a challenge, I exert myself to comprehend the matter, striving to understand. Then, I realize why: they expect others to provide answers. However, life is akin to a game of chess, especially after decades, when it has become an entangled mess. How have they navigated life amidst such chaos? Now is the moment to learn, to cultivate the consciousness of proactive thinking. How is this achieved? Begin by reflecting on simple matters.

For instance, if someone is knocking bricks or tiles above you, what might transpire? They will surely be aware that falling bricks or tiles could strike them. If so, should they permit themselves to be struck? Ideally, they should move out of the way. Understand? If standing in a spot invites being struck, avoiding that spot is the obvious course of action. This exemplifies a straightforward mode of proactive thinking. The essence of proactive thinking lies in foreseeing the consequence and reasoning backward. If the outcome remains uncertain, then contemplate what it might be.

It is often exasperating to deal with individuals who lack proactive thought. For example, they continuously proceed without reflection. I have reiterated this point repeatedly of late: think about the potential outcome. Yet, they claim an inability to envision it. What is so inscrutable about it? Consider a corner – a sheep's horn, an angle. To achieve this form, what steps must be taken beforehand? Perhaps brickwork, or a keel, overlaid with plasterboard. Individuals sometimes neglect to reflect on a matter, indiscriminately drawing in irrelevant considerations, and then become confused.

Seeking Clarity of Purpose

Proactive thinking must have a clear objective. Without a clear objective, there is no way to integrate, and proactive thinking is impossible. But when a clear objective arrives – I want to accomplish this, I want to decorate my house in this way – then I work backward, deducing what I should do. This is proactive thinking.

So, the first element of proactive thinking is a clear objective. Second, it involves screening amongst numerous options. After screening, you will discover that through a simulation in your mind, you will know that this will achieve such a result. If you don't know what to do, you can conduct small-scale experiments, simulating on a few pieces of paper.

This is the beginning of learning to think. All thinking comes from initiative. If you are merely listening passively, things will quickly become chaotic. Therefore, attending lectures cannot solve problems. Actively exploring and learning is key. Thus, the Bible says, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you. It does not say passively wait for others to pour knowledge into you. When people passively wait to be filled, they become dull because they attend school and wait to be crammed with information. In fact, it is easier to absorb knowledge yourself; being force-fed is difficult.

We clarify our objectives and then, through a simulation process, we try to understand how things are. This is active and proactive thinking. One of the most critical aspects of believing in the Lord is that the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. Therefore, reading the letter, followed by reflection, generates the spirit. Do you understand? Without proactive thinking, you cannot grasp the spirit.

This logical thinking ability is developed through repeated training from childhood. Ultimately, it is always results-oriented. Today, I am sharing with you the cultivation of a proactive thinking mindset. However, I find it somewhat difficult to fully describe this matter to you. But if I were to accompany you, guiding you through a matter, the effect would be different. If you begin to have questions or problems related to proactive thinking, bring them to your pastoral leader and share them with your leader.

And if you really cannot resolve it, I am also willing to participate in the specific problem-solving. Each time I participate, I actually receive more than you do. Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must know that our church is essentially a training institution. So, you don't need to feel embarrassed; just bring your problems. It is not a problem at all. What we know, we will say we know; what we do not know, we will walk forward with you slowly. We grow, and you grow. May God bless everyone!