It was the day after Valentine’s. I sat in my car with my earbuds in, music playing – urging me to get out of the car… The words got to me:
I remember when,
I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so special about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space
In 26 degree F, 16 F windchill type of weather, I got up and out of the car and its lovely heated seats and went for a run. See, I’m working on this training plan to run a 10K later this spring. Weeks ago I committed to stick with it, I couldn’t give up already. Back then I didn’t know the frigid temps would dive so low. But, that’s not the point; the running must go on. I had decided that I wasn’t just a runner because I said I was – I’m a runner because I run, even if it is difficult.
That day I was the only one there; usually there are quite a few exercising. As my feet hit the pavement for 2 miles, my lungs burning, I kept thinking, “I have lost my ever-loving mind!”
I can’t help but compare this to following Jesus.
You can start out, as a believer, with verbal confirmation- telling others the choice you’ve made – and that is a good place to start. But the truth is this: As I exchange my mind for His, my thoughts and desires lost in His will, it changes my actions. Oh, it isn’t easy. It takes real commitment. But, when I begin to follow Him, humbly and sacrificially – I become a true believer. Not just because I say I am, but because I’m truly following. even if no one else is.
from Philippians 2:5-12
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
What good news! It is an extraordinary gift from God. There is such comfort in the knowledge that I can have the mind of Christ as His follower. He will work in me, to transform my mind and my life. As a child of God I’m thankful for His word, and the new life He freely gives.
Oh the words to this hymn! Such truth as I seek to lose my own mind in exchange for His!
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
daily portion 