Set Your Mind on Him

Question number 2: What is my mind set on?

"For to set the mind on flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

As I was reading more of Sarah Young's daily devotional, there was a day focused on what our mind is most often set on. In it, she gave a challenge for me to ask His Spirit to control my mind, so that I can think great thoughts of Him.

Both the verse in Romans and that challenge stayed with me. Put so simply, yet so powerful if I actually put it into practice. It's no secret; my mind is often set on and consumed by flesh. It's pretty intense for that to be compared to death...but it's so true! This past year, in many ways, has been like death for me. Pittsburgh has been a trial, and I responded by setting my mind on work rather than my relationship with the Lord. That has caused my heart to often be void of the heavenly peace and feelings of eternal joy that I so treasure. My mind needs to be set on the Spirit!

My first thought is, but that's too hard! But Romans 8 gives me hope- it is possible. The Holy Spirit can control my mind! But, am I willing to give up control? Am I willing to set my mind fully on the Spirit and trust that he will lead me in the right direction? Because if I set my mind on Him, there isn't room to worry about what direction I'm heading and whether or not I'll like it. There isn't room to worry about if or how I'll make it through this current trial. There isn't room for me to try and fit my agenda into God's. There's only room for Him. 

Set my mind on the Spirit- and only one thing will be necessary. Jesus. 

What is your mind set on? Your job? Your family? A failing relationship? A current trial? Look to Jesus. Set your mind, your heart, your eyes on him and he will lead you. I encourage you to pray, along with me, that the Holy Spirit will take control of our minds, our hearts. May our thoughts be set on him!

Cease Striving

There are two themes that seem to continue to show up in my quiet times with God recently. The verses I have sifted through and devotions I have been reading all lead me to ask myself the same two questions:

1. What am I striving for?
2. What is my mind set on?

So, to address number one:

I hear God telling me, "Cease striving! Be still, know that I am God!" I hear him telling me to quit guessing his agenda or creating my own but to trust that his plans are good. Yet I still strive for my own agenda. I try to fit my plans into God's, as if my ideas are actually better! How often do we do that?

While reading a devotional my parents gave me by Sarah Young, I was reminded and convicted of the one thing to be striving for. Two verses really hit me:

The first, "Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his presence continually." Psalm 105:4

The second (I added my name, more dramatic that way), "Sarah, Sarah you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. They have chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from them." Luke 10:41-42

Only one thing is necessary. Most often, I have chosen everything but the one thing. Each time, it has led me down a path of anxiousness, uncertainty, fear, fleeting joy, depression. It is a path filled with constant striving. Burdens aren't lifted for more than mere moments. So why do we keep choosing it? I want to choose the good portion- the portion that won't be taken from me. In order for that to be true, I know I need to seek the Lord- only the Lord and his strength. That means I can't seek after a husband, the perfect job, a new city, more things. If I am choosing the good portion, then I am choosing to seek His presence continually.

Sometimes just thinking about that choice overwhelms me. It is too easy for the one thing that is necessary to become the 2, 4, 10 things that mistakenly feel necessary. I don't want to be troubled and anxious about many things, I want the one thing. The good portion.

In Sarah Young's devotional, she said this is what God is asking of us,"Come to me with an open mind and heart, inviting me to plant my desires within you." When I think about it that way, it's a little less daunting to pick the one thing. I just have to let God do the work, give over the reins, and he will do the planting. He will foster a desire for the one thing. Will you let him?

God (Good) Plans for 2012

I don't really make a habit out of writing new year resolutions. Mostly because I do a horrible job of keeping them. I do however, find ringing in the new year a perfect time to make a list of all the things I am thankful for.

 Last summer, our family went to St. Croix. We spent most nights on a second level deck, looking at all of the stars. One of the nights, our parents asked us to talk about 1-2 characteristics or values that we felt defined our family, or that we thought our parents tried to instil in us. One of the main values we talked about was gratitude. While I don't always model this, I can see how much importance my parents put in having an attitude of gratitude. Hence, the gratitude list of 2011! Not a comprehensive list, but just some of the highlights (in no particular order):

 Spending a long weekend in Minnesota with Katy, Jake, and Josh. So thankful for the time we get to spend together ...(especially now that we are a little older, more mature, and not in competition with each other 100% of the time) I love them!

Visiting Betsy in Miami with Lauren. It was wonderful to see where Betsy lives and the friends she has made and to spend some quality time with dear friends.

 Going to Saint Croix with my family. With Katy and Jake in Minnesota and me in Pittsburgh, we are limited in our family time. It was so great to spend a week with them, especially on a beautiful island! I have been blessed with a sometimes borderline insane, wonderful, hilarious family. 




Finding a small group in Pittsburgh. It's not easy to balance a crazy workload and a social life, and I am so thankful that God brought me to a wonderful group of people wanting to find fellowship and learn more about God.

Starting off the year watching my bible study girls grow, cry, laugh, and be vulnerable with each other at Leadership Advance. Then continuing to watch them grow in their friendships as God became not only present, but foundational in their relationships with each other. Ending the year hearing all the things God is teaching them as Freshmen in college! I have loved seeing them grow into beautiful young women of God who are going to touch the lives of many and do much for the kingdom of God!

 Time spent with my friends. Most often, due to weddings, I have really appreciated the time I have been given to catch up with this wonderful group of people!

Time spent at home during Christmas. With the craziness of retail, it is really easy to get caught up in work and long hours. Even though it didn't feel like a lot, I really enjoyed and treasured the time I was able to spend at 1197 with friends and family! What a perfect way to end the year.

 Finally, I am so thankful that God is walking into yet another new year with me. This past year was a challenging one. It was a year filled with God stretching me and with me often refusing to be stretched. It was filled with tears, hope, frustration, doubt, anxiousness, joy, and blessings I sometimes almost missed. I still have a lot to learn. I still have a lot of growing. I still struggle with fear and uncertainty about what is to come. But I am thankful that going into 2012, I am choosing to hand that over to God. I may not know what is in store this next year, but God does. He knows the plans he has for me, and they are GOOD. He knows the plans he has for you and they are GOOD plans. So as you make plans for 2012, with or without resolutions, carve in some time with our creator. Find fullness of joy in his presence, be still, cease striving, know that He is God. Take time to thank him, for the year we just finished, the year ahead, and the fact that through it all, he has had a plan, and he has not left our side!