THINK AND DO

THINK AND DO

King Solomon, the sage, penned these powerful words about the connection between one’s thoughts and one’s destiny: “As he THINKS in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)  It is the foundational truth undergirding one of his more memorable insights: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  When we carefully reflect upon our lives, we recognize that every single thing (both good and bad) emerges from the generator of thinking.  Indeed, personal decisions spring from conscious thought processes, and the actions that follow are merely reflections and realizations of what we TRULY think.

It naturally follows that our thinking should be (and must be) judiciously regulated.  Nevertheless, how are we to accomplish this when our senses are overwhelmed daily by a tidal wave of worldly inputs via the prolific output of mass media and our constant interactions with others?

Firstly, we must adopt a HIGHER COMPASS by which to navigate and govern our lives.  King David’s prayer concerning this is key.  He petitioned God to “ORDER MY STEPS IN YOUR WORD, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133)  It is the logical and practical way for us to fully embrace Solomon’s advice to guard our hearts.  ONLY THE “WISE GOD” is consistently “able to keep you (and me) from falling.” (I Timothy 1:17 and Jude 1:24)

Why not ask GOD for help in filtering all of the background noise, the worldly distractions, the confusing voices and the media’s assault on our senses, so we will be able to think wisely and super-naturally?  This is absolutely essential since the Word declares that “the carnal mind [the natural or unredeemed mind] is enmity [an enemy] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

Let’s resolve to embrace this scriptural solution:  “Do not be conformed to this world, but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)  This may only be accomplished in the life of one who seeks to fully surrender to her/his Creator.  Thus David’s prayer: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.  Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law.  Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:33-34)

Paying attention to what we are THINKING first involves paying attention to what we are hearing, what we are reading, what we are watching and what we are ultimately internalizing.  Back in ‘The Stone Age’ – when I was an elementary school student – we had English grammar workbooks entitled “Think and Do.”  It was an effective way to learn the basic fundamentals of language.  Those practical workbooks taught us how to read and write proficiently.  In truth, all of us would be better positioned for life if we would adopt a similar model to navigate our time and space on the planet.  TODAY…AND EVERY DAY…THINK...AND DO!  As one of my dearest friends (and you know who you are) reminds me from time to time: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste!”  So let each of us use our thinking faculties wisely.  Let’s prayerfully reflect on the right things, and then follow the right path.  Our lives will be infinitely better for it.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!