Archived Post (March, 2015) – There is this charming little saying that I’m sure many of us have seen that goes something like this, “God, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.” It can often be found on cute little coffee mugs or wall plaques, but the truth of that statement hit me recently. You see, in saying that – while it’s cute and all – we are asking God to cover up what our minds are thinking. Here’s the issue with that… The Bible tells us that we are to be transformed by Jesus; that we are to be sanctified, filled with God’s love and grace. (James 1:26, James 3, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) Friends, we should be praying not that God would put his hand over our mouths, but that he would open up our minds and fill them with himself! If we are filled with his grace and love, then that grace and love will flow from us and speak love to those around us! Now, granted it’s not quite as cute to say: God, open up my brain and fill it with your grace, but maybe that’s what needs to be done even though it isn’t “pinnable”.
The Word tells us that “A good person, out of good treasure, brings forth good; but an evil person, out of evil treasure, brings forth evil.” Matthew 12:35. If the thoughts that I bring forth are any indication, my heart needs some work. Luckily, no one but me knows those thoughts, right? Oh, how I wish that were true! I wish that my Lord didn’t know these thoughts! But, He does, and He tells us that he wants them to be pleasing to him — “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord,” (Psalm 19:14) It was even the Bible verse I taught my littles a few months ago at the preschool where I teach. Oh my, how glad I am that the meditations of my heart are not heard by everyone! And I’m so thankful that the Lord gives us grace that is new every morning.
But, what can I do to change the meditations of my mind? I need to change my focus. I need to see the blessings, to recognize the good, to laugh and find joy. Here’s the thing with all of that, though. It cannot be done by ourselves, by our own willpower. It can only be done by drawing closer to God. Often times it doesn’t happen immediately. Rarely do I even notice myself going into a negative spiral, say one prayer and immediately it is all sunshine and flowers. It is usually much more of a whisper and a gentle reminder.