If you're a facebook user, you're familiar with the phrase "What's on your mind?". It's the question inside the box that allows you to update your status and let everyone on your friends list know what your thinking about at that moment. In the world of facebook, the answer to that question can keep us posted on what our friends or family are up to. But in our own hearts, the answer to that question can tell a lot about our relationship with Jesus. The Bible instructs us to have the mind of Christ and the best way I know to make that happen is to be in the Word. Daily soaking in His instructions and meditating on them.
Whenever I contemplate taking on the mind of Christ, I am reminded of a saying I heard in college, "garbage in, garbage out". The opposite of this is also true, "good in, good out". This, almost always, brings to mind Philippians 4:8, "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." I have found myself convicted, more than once, reading this passage. But more than that, I want to be encouraged by this verse to evaluate the things in my life that may be hindering me from having the mind of Christ. Think about the words in this verse: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy... who wouldn't want these things in their life. I'm sure we all do. Just reading those words brings a smile to my face. And God has given us the prescription for making that possible. It's all there in His word. Also tucked inside this verse is a command for us, "think on these things". It's not enough to just read the words on the page. We have to move to action and think about, contemplate, evaluate all the things that we come in contact with. We need to train ourselves to evaluate everything we listen to, read, watch, entertain in our thoughts and the people we associate with against the light in this verse.
My giant in this is two-fold. First, I love t.v. I've confessed this before. It's my way to unwind, to escape. I've found myself on too many occasions getting drawn into things that draw my attention away from godly things. Second, I am undisciplined in setting aside time each day for reading the Word and praying. The most important thing I could do in any given 24 hour period so often goes undone. Just knowing what to do is of little benefit if I don't take the time to invest in renewing my mind. Romans 12:1 & 2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." It is my deepest desire to become like Jesus Christ, my Savior. His work on the cross to save me is definitely worthy of everything I can give Him. Nothing, no movie or t.v. show or any other worldly distraction, is more important than His sacrifice. And the reward is a life pleasing to God and blessed by a fullness that only He can bring.
So... What's on your mind?
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