My fear...

I'm struggling through a lot of issues lately. Under the circumstances, I guess we all are.

One of the issues is my personal life and growth. It had been playing in my mind something like...

If only I had more education...

If only I read more books...

If only I had a really useful talent...

If only...

Suddenly, those options don't seem to make much difference. It's not my education, knowledge, abilities that will make the difference. It's Jesus living His life through me. But how does that play out. What does that look like? How can I make sure I don't let my life become a source of pain and disappointment to those who love me, a disgrace to the name of Jesus Christ?

A discussion with incredibly patient husband and outrageously intelligent son helped me start to consider some possibilities.

I Peter 1: 13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Prepare our MINDS for action. Interesting. I always think of preparing our bodies for action. Minds are for thinking; bodies are for acting. I know the connection is there. Mental preparation for the sport or job. But I seldom think of it relative to spiritual preparation.

II Corinthinas 10:5 "..and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

It's overwhelming sometimes. EVERY thought. My mind goes a mile a minute and in so many directions. Usually all at the same time. And it will never get easier. Each step toward and with Him with brings more difficult situations and temptations.

So maybe it boils down to each and every decision I make. Each thought leading to each action. I find it frightening that the very next decision I make could be the first step to my own destruction. So how do we prepare our minds for action? How do we take captive EVERY thought?

Those are my musings for today. There will be more. Another day.