Have This Mind In You
“Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5
Do you think we are controlled by what is in our head? For the past month I have had a congestion in my head causing me great difficulty. It triggered an old nemesis, Bell’s Palsy, and the right side of my face was paralyzed for almost two weeks while I was away on my study time. The issue consumed me and I had to struggle to study.
On top of that, I got back home and my computer, which knows everything I know, CRASHED! To some that might not be so devastating, but for me, it is horrible. I got it up and going and was so happy and it crashed again. At the time of this writing, it is dead as a door nail. And, to make matters worse, the sinus problem that brought on the paralysis is back.
Now, I said all of that to let you know that my mind is very occupied on two issues right now. My health, and the potential of another round of paralysis and my computer that links me to the world and the teaching we do there.
It is hard to have a clear mind to do that which is most important, and that is to follow Christ. When our minds get cluttered with other things, it is very difficult to have the mind of Christ. It becomes critical that when we deal with the issues of life that we never allow them to take that golden seat of His throne in our hearts.
All of us go through things daily in our lives. We no longer live in a perfect world and all of the chaos and conflict we go through is a direct result of the sin that came into the world so long ago.
We are pointed heavenward often in the Scriptures. “Set you hearts on things that are above.” We are called to a higher plane. In the passage in Philippians, the brothers were struggling with the things of this world and it was causing great conflict in their relationships with one another. Paul pulls them back to the mind of Christ and His servant nature.
I’ll get the computer fixed or I will fix it so no one can fix it and get another one. I will likely get over this sinus issue, and if not, I will die and in the resurrection it will be gone. And while both of my current issues are important, having His mind is the most critical. And, at the same time, I know when these two go away something else will take their place.
Whatever is in your way of seeing, embracing and following Him must be put out of the way and let Him have control. We are called to be “adherents” to Jesus. That is what a disciple is. This is way bigger than the band-aid commercial, but the jingle is catchy. “I am stuck on Jesus and Jesus’ stuck on me.”
We need to remember a great biblical truth. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) We are called to be like Him and to have His mind and His heart. Our problems are small and should never clutter the space where Jesus resides in our hearts and minds.
May we forever Crown Him King in our hearts.