Executive function
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13: 8 (NIV)
Executive Function. What is it? It sounds like an end of year event for top corporate business people – executives. Executive function is a term coined by clinical physiologists to describe and score how individuals cope with different circumstances, their strengths or weaknesses in a key set of mental skills. Executive skills include emotional control, flexibility, working memory, organisation, and self-monitoring. Hence this impacts the ability to, for example, make plans, keep track of time, analyse ideas, apply previously learned information, and social communication. Not having strength in these areas is not considered a disability on their own, but it makes life a challenge for those who are weak in executive function skills.
Needless to say, some people score very highly, others not so, and most fall in between. The ‘executive’ label is derived from the skill set needed to be an executive. Whatever the state of one’s executive functioning it doesn’t detract from God’s love for us. We are all gifted in different ways though, as I’m sure we’re aware, in most societies some skills and gifts are valued more highly than others.
For us as Christians there is merit in being informed because it can help us to help and understand our fellow human beings and travellers in this life. It helps us to ‘love one another’ (John 13:34-35). Wherever you live or whatever you do you will no doubt come across those whose executive function skills are weak. Regardless of executive function skills, all those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will be invited to an awesome, fantastic ‘new heaven and a new earth’ function in the future (Revelation 21:1-2). Our eyes being opened to this is down to God, and not to executive functioning. Also, consider what is written in 1 Corinthians 1:26: ‘Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not
many were of noble birth.’ We know none should feel superior.
So, how are your executive function skills? How is your patience, joy, love, compassion and understanding? Let’s pray to be aware of those in this life who we may encounter that are vulnerable. After all, we’re all vulnerable without the love of God.
Prayer
Lord God, we pray for strength, patience, joy, love, understanding, compassion and wisdom. We pray that we may be mindful of all people and willing to help and support others who need it, as and when we can. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Study by Kevin Harris
Kevin Harris is attends the Watford congregation of Grace Communion International, and is on the Pastoral Council.
Local congregation:
Watford
Knutsford Primary Academy,
Balmoral Road,
Watford, Herts.
WD24 7ER
Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am.
Local congregational contact:
George Henderson
Email: watford@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church