Maximizing My Thoughts

Lately I have spent a fair bit of time pondering the practical outworking of the Scripture that encourages us to...

...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

I've never thought of myself as a dreamer although from time to time I think about what I would do if I were to win the lottery. (Not likely to happen since I don't buy tickets, but it's fun to think about it every once in a while.) I have noticed, however, that my thoughts often wander when I'm not purposefully focused. When I'm cleaning, doing dishes, walking to/from the bus, driving, in the grocery store - what am I doing with my thoughts? Could they be described as being "obedient to Christ"? Too often, sadly, the answer to that question is - no. Makes me think of something I used to hear people saying when I was a child...."wool gathering" is how they'd describe what's going on inside my head at those times.

Thinking about 2 Corinthians 10:5 has impressed on me the need to make the most of my thoughts. The result is that I am being intentional about directing my thoughts rather than allowing them to wander. What does that look like? If I encounter people who seem to be out of sorts, unhappy or in a bad mood, I pray for them to be blessed, to be able to deal with the difficult situation they are in, to have their eyes open to God at work in their lives. When I see people being helpful, positive, encouraging or Christlike, I ask God to bless them for that. When someone comes to mind, I try to turn that thought into prayer on their behalf. I think about Scripture verses that have impacted me, sermons that challenge me, things that I believe God is speaking to me about dealing with. I am choosing to look for the positives and to focus on them.

I am finding that this approach makes a big difference in how I feel about life in general and my life specifically. I want to be the same person inside as I am outside; to live for Christ in ways that others can see but also in the part of my life that only God and I know about - my heart and my mind. Taking my thoughts captive is one of the ways I can make that happen. I am challenged by Paul's encouragement in Philippians 4:8...

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

I have a long way to go before I could honestly say that this is a habit that comes naturally, without thought and which is what I do more often than not; the truth is that it is a work in progress. However, I am excited about the opportunity I have to invite the power of God into the world around me. I have even been daydreaming about how my thoughts can bring positive changes into the lives of those around me; how my heart and mind can be revolutionized as I live this out; how God can communicate with me as I am intentional about communicating with Him more often and as a matter of course throughout my day.

I look forward to being able to share the outworking of this endeavour with you.

Surprised By Joy!

Recently I was sharing with a friend about a change I was not happy about in my work schedule. I’ll admit – I was whining. My friend very gently encouraged me to see the positive possibilities this schedule change meant for me and our family. I grudgingly agreed with her assessment of the situation and felt suitably chastised for my attitude.

I was reminded of a book I read years ago – “Just Enough Light For The Step I’m On” by Stormie Omartian. [Thanks Laurinda for recommending this - and lending me your copy to read.] One of the principles she outlines in the book is that of finding something positive in every situation you face. My friend’s encouragement prompted me to look at this concept again and apply it to my new work schedule. I went through all the things I could think of and, quite frankly, felt rather virtuous for having done so. I’m so glad God is patient with me!

This week I was totally surprised by a benefit of my schedule that I had not imagined. As I left home to walk to the bus stop so I could be on time for my 4:00 pm start time, I heard my high schoolers calling to me as they turned onto our street on their way home from school. I was thrilled by their enthusiastic greeting and their loving hugs as we met on the sidewalk. On a whim I suggested that they walk me to my bus stop – and they did!

It was a few short minutes, but that brief walk with my two youngest definitely made my day. We talked about what had happened in school, what I had done at home, what was prepared for supper (definitely on their list of benefits – Mum is home, supper is done!) and who was doing what that evening. As we got to the corner where I was to catch my bus, I was again the recipient of hugs and kisses. I could not help but stand and watch as they headed for home. My heart was bursting with love, pride and joy, definitely joy.

Thank you, Lord, for your surprise of joy.

Sleep In Peace

In the late 1990's the worship team at our church introduced a chorus that quickly became a favourite not only for me personally but for many in the congregation. It was written/recorded by Hiram Joseph and simply says...

Speak Lord to me

Here am I Your servant who is calling

Humbly I await I await the moving of a mighty King

So I will seek until You speak

Many times during frustrating and/or difficult situations I have hummed, sung or spoken that song as a reminder both of my need to wait and of God's promise to hear and answer my call. It has comforted and calmed me repeatedly. Recently I was singing it at home when one of my children interrupted me to say...

Mum, why didn't you tell me I've been singing the wrong words? I've always thought it was "So I will sleep until You speak".

I laughed along with my child about the silly mistake but as the day wore on, that idea kept coming to mind...instead of taking my problems to God and then stewing about them, maybe I should practice sleeping till He speaks. I got to thinking about how Jesus was asleep in the boat with His disciples when the storm arose, causing the men great fear. I thought of how amazing it was that Jesus could sleep while the storm was raging. I thought of the paintings/prints/pictures I have seen in Christian stores of a bird safe in its nest while a storm is raging and the text that accompanies it - along the lines of "This is true peace".

I also thought of how unlike my reality that is. I tend to be like the disciples. I can't count the number of times I have frantically tried to awaken God to point out to Him that we are facing imminent disaster if He doesn't do something quickly. Or the times I have reminded Him that I've been waiting for a long time for Him to answer my call. Or the times I have asked whether He is aware of or planning to deal with the situations we are in.

Years ago one of our children struggled with night terrors; not only was that child's sleep fitful ours was too. After asking for prayer for this situation, a lady in our church suggested that we recite two verses with our child each night before bed and so we did. We immediately implemented the suggestion, ending each day saying Psalm 4:8 and Psalm 127:2b together. It was not long before the night terrors abated and sleep came easily for us all.

For the past two or three weeks, I have been singing Hiram's chorus my child's way - "So I will sleep until You speak" and reciting, as we did so many years ago, Psalm 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." I have also been thinking about the fact that Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14) and of the power there is in simply speaking His name.

The result of my efforts? I must confess that I do still experience moments of sheer panic when I feel like I'm in a little boat being tossed about by one of the storms the weather forecasters are talking about so much now that we're into hurricane season again. HOWEVER, I am pleased to report that I am experiencing a great deal of peace that I know must come from God. I am determined to experience His peace as I wait for Him to move.

Sweet dreams!