I used to ask my husband ”What are you thinking?” Now I know better. Did you know that there are people among us whose minds are blank? Not all of the time, but sometimes. Like, whenever I would ask my husband what he was thinking. Blank stare. Raised eyebrows. Bewildered expression. His internal dialogue apparently racing down the lane of Should I be thinking reaching the intersection of What is she expecting me to think before helplessly circling the wastelands of I’ve probably forgotten something.
I remember a friend telling me that his mind had thought-free spaces. I found that to be completely amazing. How was it even possible? It sounded very peaceful, though. Quiet, serene… and utterly boring.
My mind doesn’t work like that. It’s no better nor worse than my husband’s, it’s just different. If I’m awake I’m thinking. When I sleep I’m dreaming. My brain is always busy. Don’t be fooled, it’s not like I’m sorting out the problems of the world. I do that, too – in brief moments in time – before rushing on to important matters at hand, such as Should I wash greys with whites, I wonder if I have time for another coffee, or Why on earth did I accept that deadline. My mind is never blank, not even for a second.
My train of thoughts seems to be pulled by this crazy locomotive with a will of its own. This stubborn, enthusiastic, over-achiever of an engine is determined to go places where I’ve never gone before. It insists on exploring unknown land where tracks have yet to be laid. It heads for the mountains before the tunnels are in place, crossing the unpleasant, smelly swamps to get there. My kamikaze engine envisions the fields of glory on the other side of the mountain and is determined to make my train of thoughts go there, whether I want to or not.
It provides great fuel for a creative living, but it can be somewhat exhausting. Although I’m enjoying the ride I cannot let it rule my life.
So many times I’ve had people coming to me for prayer, saying that their mind is spinning out of control, leading to unwarranted stress and anxiety. “I never have a moment of peace, I worry all the time,” they tell me. “I’m always sad, scared and desperate. The enemy attacks me constantly.”
There are times in our lives that we face unusual attacks and we need to seek spiritual and emotional support to stand tall through the heavy storms. That’s not what I’m addressing right now. I’m talking about the people that seem to go through never-ending series of emotional struggles with no evident cause, and who seem to have settled for a life of conflict and discomfort.
After praying for them I usually ask them a question. “You do know that you don’t have to accept all these thoughts, right?” They stare at me as if I spoke a foreign language, a vocabulary from a different time and from a strange planet. “What do you mean? I don’t control this. I am being attacked by the enemy!” That may be true or not, I wouldn’t know. However, we are not to be governed by our adversary. We have subjected ourselves to the reign of our God. Why would we settle for anything less?
“There’s so much evil in the world, I’m always troubled by the overwhelming amount of problems of the world.” I guess we’ve moved past the greys and whites, now we are dealing with The Issues Of The World, and they are all on this individual’s shoulders. As if God depended on it. Well, he doesn’t.
It’s true that God calls us to intercede for people, situations and countries, and we do that willingly, partnering with God in his mission for this world. Partnering with God. Not taking over for him. He doesn’t need you to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. He’s got it all in the palm of his hand already.
Your crazy locomotive needs a sober driver, and that person has to be you.
Strengthen yourself in the Lord. Make sure that you do a 2 Corinthians 10,5 mandatory service on your locomotive engine:
We demolish arguments and every pretension
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ.
For every train of thought out there running a race of its own, ask yourself this question: Is this how my loving Father thinks of me? Refuse to harbor any thought that doesn’t reflect your divine fabric. Speak out the Word of the Lord over your life.
God has never left you, and he will never forsake you.
He didn’t send his son to condemn you, but to save you.
He still takes great delight in you, he even rejoices over you with singing!
As we see ourselves as God sees us, our vision of him becomes less blurry. With focused hearts and a clear vision we won’t perish. We will partner with God’s all-loving, all-giving, perfect purpose for a world in need of a Savior.
If you are anything like me, these rounds of engine maintenance might take some time, but it’s totally worth it. Maintaining regular services on your locomotive will ensure that it performs to the best of its potential and for the glory of God.
Your creative thinking is a divine gift. Pray for wisdom as you steward it. Make sure that you don’t let fear and judgment govern your train of thought. Be the designated driver of your locomotive and observe how the Holy Spirit lays down your God-given tracks in front of you. He’ll show you where to go. He’ll even take responsibility for how to get you there.
Your gifts may easily lead you into the wilderness if you allow them to be governed by fear. But your creative thinking under the Lordship of King Jesus will reveal features of the Father that people otherwise might not have seen.
Steward your gifts.
Take your thoughts captive.
Submit them to the Father.
Be transformed.