It Starts with Me

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions.

Henri Nouwen challenges both us and himself to "trust that the little bit of love that [we] sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come."

Change. Transformation from doing our own thing to following Jesus.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

We carry with us a truckload of harmful thoughts, negative beliefs, traumas that cause us to build defense mechanisms, knee jerk reactions. It seems like it can be a battle between what is right and wrong.  The battle starts when we start to do the right thing, when we begin to change our habits.  It’s easy to let the garbage in, harder to get it out.    Our week is 168 hours.  168 hours to make choices.  Typically 167 hours we choose for ourselves, and one hour we choose God.  Wow.  Don’t think we can renew our minds in Christ that way, do you?

When we are anxious or conflicted, Paul suggests intentional prayer filled with our current condition, thanksgiving, and our particular request.  Then, the peace of God can fill us.  The mind of Jesus did not develop in a vacuum.  He, like us, encountered evil in his society.  Yet, unlike us, Jesus did not think malicious thoughts.  To do this, Jesus took care of himself - mind, spirit, and body.  He studied and learned scripture.  The Torah and the Prophets were part of his mind.  Making time for prayer and spiritual reflection, Jesus also had plenty of exercise walking everywhere, enjoying his food, drinking wine, and resting when needed.

I am asking you to call on the spirit of God so that we can enter this relationship of being “in the mind of Christ” together.   That we both as individuals and a church can partner with Jesus. It is through our committed interaction with God in prayer, questioning, and pondering of scripture that our understanding is increased, our spirit is fed, and the mind of Christ is developed within us so that we can be and do like Jesus.

It is not easy to transform your life.  Are you willing to make the effort?  Through God’s grace.  Are you ready to be a disciple and follow Jesus?  For this is what he expects his disciples will do.

6:7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.6:13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7,13)

How do we do this?    If we trust God, God will lead us to think as Jesus, to go where we need to be, to do what we are called to do.  AMEN

•