Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

Fix your mind

There’s a saying: “Worrying is like a rocking chair. It keeps you going but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” There’s a lot of rocking in our world. When was the last time you heard a news report highlight any of the things Paul listed for us to think about? “…things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (The Message) The media want to make a lay claim to our minds: this is what responsible human beings and citizens of the world think about.

Paul thought differently and we can learn to think like him. He is being guarded by Caesar’s personal bodyguards and writes that God’s peace will guard your heart and mind if you learn to think with him. Makes you think, doesn’t it? Your mind can jump from one thing to another at the speed of light, but it cannot dwell on more than one thing. Paul was a “one-thing” guy. “This one thing I do,” he said. God wants to help you fix your mind. How?

It's impossible to love without worrying. Ask any parent. Paul said he worried daily about the churches (2 Cor.11:28). Being a citizen of heaven means caring about what's happening in God's world. But what do we do with worries? We pray. Nothing is too big or too small to bring to God in prayer.

The peace of God will help you guard your mind. Martin Luther said about thoughts: “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” Praying is getting out of the worry-rocking chair. Replacing your thoughts is going somewhere. Think on what is true, beautiful, good etc. in people, communities and the world. As a citizen of heaven, look for anything that looks like Jesus and his Kingdom, and let your mind dwell there. This will help you love people and the world and grow your awareness of God’s presence.

Reflection Question:

Where does my mind dwell most of the time?

Prayer:

Thank you, God, that I can bring all my worries to you. Thank you for your peace and presence that guard my mind. Holy Spirit, help me think on things that will grow my love. Amen.