Have you ever stopped to think about the power that our minds have over our lives? God created us this way. He created us with minds that can retain information, with brains that remember all kinds of images and sounds. And ultimately, it’s up to us on what we choose to fill our minds with. We can use our minds to think about anything we want… but not all things we could think about are beneficial. The reality is that our thoughts apart from God lead to destruction. But praise be to God that his commands are not burdensome; they are life giving.
The very essence of our walk with Jesus is intimacy with him, and transformation to become more like him. In Romans 12, Paul talks about not conforming to the pattern of this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is how we transform into the image of Jesus. We don’t have to change ourselves, we just have to behold. I sometimes forget that I have control over the things I choose to think about and meditate on. That I have the joy of being able to focus on the goodness of God. I encourage you to ask God what it means to think about such things today. I believe that when we seek him, and seek him with all of our thoughts and heart, he is faithful to bring peace and beautiful transformation.
Father, forgive us when we choose to focus on things that are not of you. Forgive us when we choose to entertain our sinful thoughts rather than fix our gaze on your goodness. Teach us what it means to behold things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. We trust that you, the God of peace, is with us as we contemplate and behold you. In Jesus’ name, amen.