“Of All The Things I’ve Ever Lost, I Miss My Mind The Most” read the bumper sticker on the car in front of me, it made me smile. I could wholeheartedly relate that sometimes I can’t remember what I am doing. LOL.
Do you get distracted? Yep. Me too. It’s really hard to keep our mind focused on the things above. Phil 4:8 says “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Practically, keeping God’s truth before us is tough, especially when we are busy or people don’t treat us kindly. It’s hard for us to act differently than we feel about a person, especially when we are hurt or misunderstood. We want to treat people they way they deserve to be treated: without any grace or forgiveness. But God asks us to forgive and love them even when they don’t earn our love. After all, do any of us deserve God’s forgiveness? No, but He has forgiven us. Ephesians 2:8,9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
If we ask God to give us his love for the undeserving, we can love them – this is not being fake; it is relying on the Holy Spirit to love the unlovable with God’s strength through us. When we are open to God’s presence in such a practical and tangible way, He draws us closer. Abiding in Christ means we desire for His mind to control us, when this is our modus operandi, we can understand a little of what He might be up to—though we might not agree with God’s plans or methods. Our situation can push us into His ever-present, strong and tender arms in order to buffer our emotional pain, unexpected trials and demanding temptations. I’ve learned to check myself with the phrase: “Is there less of me and more of Jesus?” I have a long way to go.
To have the mind of Christ, it helps me to keep one verse with me to meditate on throughout the day: I put it in my notes on my iPhone or write it on a 3 x 5 card I read throughout the day, sometimes I post it on my Facebook page. Another thing that helps is to have a song on my mind to keep me worshipping. I pick a song a week for my blog on “Worship Wednesday.” I was raised with traditional hymns as part of my weekly worship at my home church. I love the words from the hymn, “May the Mind of Christ My Savior.” This hymn can help keep us focused on the only One who can truly help us…our Lord Jesus.
May the mind of Christ my Savior dwell in me from day to day.
By His love and power controlling all I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph only through His power.
By His love and grace, He gives us His power and perspective.
May I pray for you today? “Dear Father, we need your indwelling Holy Spirit. Thank you that you want us to abide in you. Thank you for your strong, tender, ever-present arms that wrap around us, shielding us and helping us to keep our minds set on the things above. May the mind of Christ dwell in us today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
