The other night I begrudgingly headed to the gym with my husband. Thoughts filled my mind: I don't feel like working out. I am so tired. I just want to snuggle up and go to sleep for the night...
4 Minutes on the treadmill felt like an eternity. Ahhhhh, this stinks. I want to be home. I hate being out of shape. I'd rather be eating pizza.
Finally, I decided to listen to some praise music. I played the new CD of one of my new favorite groups (Sidewalk Prophets). As the music played, my pace increased. I got lost in praise. And, as a result my mind turned to this is soooooo much fun.
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is." (Proverbs 23: 7, paraphrased)
Friend, what are you thinking about? What thoughts fill your mind? Can I just make the application--God taught me--Your mind doesn't just effect your work outs. It impacts your life. It influences your decisions. Take every thought captive to the cross. Focus on the eternal. And faithfully serve me.
So today, will you join me with hands lifted high, and a mouth filled with praise...will you glory in the one who died for you. No matter my circumstance, no matter my trial...will you offer God your love by filling your mind as Paul urged in Philippians 4:8-9, "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely , whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." (NIV)
Thanks, Julie. This is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWhen son Jeff was in a traveling youth choir, they wore t-shirts with, "As me what I'm thinking about." on the back. When someone asked what they were thinking about, the answer was, "Jesus." They were also known to break spontaneously into praise songs in places like Interstate highway rest areas. They had a lot of fun & were an amazing witness. PatD