We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5)
It was the third time I checked the car for my keys. I groped beneath the seats, looked under the mats, and felt between the upholstery. Nothing. My briefcase, sock dresser, and every conceivable black hole had already been searched.
“Sorry, I won’t be coming,” I informed my next appointment via phone. It was too embarrassing to give the reason, that I’d misplaced my keys—again.
Hours later I wandered into the kitchen for a bite. There, inside the door of the refrigerator, were my keys. I must have left them there during an earlier forage.
It was time for a radical assault against my disorganization. I made a resolution that my keys would either be in use, or in a designated pocket in my knapsack—later dubbed, “their most special place.” Once this new habit became automatic, it freed up mental energies and rid me of the I-did-it-again-lost-key feeling.
The same principle applies to spiritual life. Father gives a most special place for every thought. When trials come, I can say, “This earth is not my home.” At temptations, I fall into worship—“Jesus, you are everything I need.” I counter worry with—“It’s in far better hands than mine.” During idle moments, I praise—“Lord, you are awesome and wonderful, full of grace and beauty.” Once I began these disciplines, I discovered how much life energy I had wasted when there was no special place for my thoughts.
An undisciplined mind is like a bird that flails against the bars of its cage. I continually reach for what lies outside God’s best for me. Instead of bashing and befuddling my head, I need to settle on the perch, tuck each thought into its rightful place, and sing until my Master opens the door.
Prayer: King Jesus, thank you for giving a place for every thought.