How About a “Vision” Test?
Read: Philippians 2:1-15
“May the mind of Christ, our Saviour, live in us from day to day, by his love and power controlling all we do and say.” (Kate Wilkinson)
These words are from a hymn text I recently rediscovered in the hymnal in use at my home church when I was a youth. (They were also included in the musical benediction which concluded our worship on Feb 20.) To me, the idea of taking the mind of Christ as our example is the most uplifting, energizing, and inspiring thought I can imagine. Moving away from the ego mind that concerns itself solely with the individual, and joining with the Christ Mind allows us to rise above our seemingly separated selves onto a higher plane of consciousness, reflective of the connectedness and unity found within God’s creation.
It is so easy to get caught up in our own personal lives, and not make the effort to see how we fit into the larger picture (taking a broad view). We may feel enchained by mistaken thoughts of the past, rather than freeing ourselves through forgiveness, which leads to cleaner and brighter days ahead. Perhaps we make plans in the present and for the future without seeking divine guidance from the One Who, with infinite wisdom, can bring harmony into our affairs and relationships. To me, God’s love must be perfect, and given to all in equal measure. Certainly, the mind of Christ knows the love of God intimately and completely. We, therefore, can put our whole trust in Christ, and pattern our thoughts after his without the slightest hesitation.
The Christian path, however, is often not an easy one to take, and can be quite challenging. Happily, the church provides us with many opportunities for spiritual growth, enlightenment, and service along this chosen path. Each Sunday, we gather to worship the one true God … to strengthen our relationship to Jesus Christ, and to our Creator and Sustainer … to inspire one another to think and live at ever higher levels … to attend with all our hearts to the teachings of Jesus, in turn offering them to others we meet along the way. Numerous weekday gatherings provide additional learning opportunities as we walk the Christian path.
Try to imagine for a few moments what our world would be like if many or even most of us walking the Earth were to join our minds with the mind of Christ. Nothing short of the most remarkable transformation would take place! So we must ask ourselves if we are wiling to adopt a radically new way of seeing and thinking; for if we do, we will come to experience a new-found freedom, wholeness, and sense of well-being that will give great meaning and purpose to our lives.
The world is weary and worn and calls out for the vision of Christ that offers life rather than death, waking rather than sleeping, peace rather than war, love rather than hate. Out of sincere gratitude for the wonder of our creation – for life itself – let us choose a course with a single, unified purpose, so that the peace of God becomes our one goal, the end we seek, and the aim of all our living here. Let all the world be blessed with peace and love through us! Contemplate with care and a generous spirit the many ways, both large and small, in which you can help to bring this about. If uncertainty or hesitation arises, use these words from the Salisbury Primer of 1558 as an affirmative prayer:
God be in my head and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes and in my looking;
God be in my mouth and in my speaking;
God be in mine heart and in my thinking;
God be at my end and in my departing.
Doug Dykstra
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