What? It’s a myth? I’m sad to hear that. Because I sort of liked the idea that we humans only use 10% of our brains. I thought I could volunteer to be a case study for the research even. Because I think most of the time I use much less than that.
On the other hand, it was a bit frustrating to think about 90% of brain function remaining virtually untapped. What a waste. All those brain cells. Just sitting there with nothing to do.
I still get a little nervous about learning new things. Mostly because I figure “percentages” may not be my biggest obstacle. Whatever percent is in use, I only have a certain number of brain cells. It’s a limited supply, I tell you. The little rascals are already occupied with keeping my heart beating, inhaling and exhaling, blinking, drinking coffee—all those basic, involuntary life functions. That’s got to be about 95% of my total brain function, right? So if I try to stuff new knowledge requiring more than my 5% leftovers in there, couldn’t that squeeze out something else I’ve already learned? Maybe something I really need to know. What if I watch “Jeopardy” and accidentally learn way too much about the Articles of Confederation and then I forget how to math. I’d hate to suddenly find I couldn’t chemistry like I once could…chemistry.
Okay yes, I do know I could never…chemistry. But I never know how my brain is going to mess with me. I can’t count how many times I’ve sat down at the computer with some kind of pressing writing deadline, telling my brain, “Let’s go, buddy. Gotta get in gear.” Then, just to be funny, my brain will send me into a nonstop loop of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” And in those moments my brain will bring to mind every word of that song. No other words of any kind. Just those.
The human brain. What an interesting mystery. It was designed by an infinite God of boundless creative power. Imagine His brain! His thinking power is too amazing for our little brains to process. It’s a true mind-boggle. He tells us in Isaiah 55, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,” (vs. 9, HCSB) and “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts,” (vs. 9, HCSB).
It’s lovely that in focusing on the God of infinite knowledge and wisdom that we find peace of mind—our own brain-peace. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you,” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV). This brain of mine can be like an untrained puppy. And sometimes making peace with it becomes a matter of reining it in to “sit” and “stay.” O Lord, may this mind be stayed on You! All my heart, all my strength, all my soul, ALL my mind. 100%.
Meanwhile, I’m ever so thankful for His loving patience with beings of finite mind. As for me, sometimes I still find it challenging to keep my brain cells all firing in the same direction for any length of time without getting a little distracted. Because sometimes those brain cells…I smell waffles.