Friday, September 23, 2005
Learning to Let
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5
I never gave that little word "let" much thought....until tonight. I always summed this verse up to mean "think like Christ" or "have the same attitude as Christ." Sometimes I was left with the "just do it" mentality. Once again I felt like I had to just dig in with all my strength, grit my teeth, and somehow master having the attitude of Christ. I had to think like Him, respond like Him, act like Him when all the while I knew I wasn't Him! Result? Failure and a good reminder that "without Him I can do nothing."
So I looked up the word "let" in the dictionary....my favorite Bible companion. One definition jumped out at me! Let: to permit to enter. That simple definition shed new light on an all too familiar verse. What God wants me to do is allow Christ's mind to enter me...give His mind free access into my internal world.
My mind is already swimming with the thoughts of what hinders His mind from entering me? Certainly the world, the flesh, and the devil all readily bolt the doors as best they can. Christ will not barge His way in. He waits....hoping I will decide to give His mind entry.
May I start each day with an open invitation for Christ's mind to enter and dwell in me. And since I determine how long His mind will stay in me, may I desire a permanent residence!
Father, it is becoming evident to me that so much of this journey takes place in my mind. My thoughts become the catalyst for my actions, words, tone of voice, motives, etc... How much better to LET Your mind be that catalyst! Amen.