3. A QUIET MIND

MINI-SERIES: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

1. Light in the Darkness
2. Listen for the Still Small Voice
3. A Quiet Mind

It's another still November day, the land broods in the sea-mist, and the trees stand motionless in the damp morning air. A good time to continue thinking about quietness...

Noise doesn't have to be external, we can carry a lot of internal clamour around with us.  I'm aware, for example, how often my mind is in over-drive, filled with 'chatter' or just preoccupied.
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We know the importance of renewing our minds so that our thinking is aligned with God. (See New Mindsets) But another aspect of renewing the mind is keeping it quiet. How often do we do one thing while thinking about another? How much time do we spend mentally gnawing on plans, problems, anxieties and fears? And what about finding comfort through the unhealthy use of our imaginations?
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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
[Romans 12:2]
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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.
[2Corinthians 10:5]
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​It’s a hot topic these days. Websites, books and magazine articles, dealing with a ‘quiet mind’ or ‘mindfulness’ have popped up in profusion, and ideas rooted in Buddhism have become mainstream. While they may contain some helpful recommendations, these writings are incomplete without an understanding of redeemed man in relation to God. As Christians we need to be looking at the 'Manufacturer’s Instruction Manual' for our answers.
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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
[Isaiah 26:3 NKJV]
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The Hebrew word for ‘stayed’, (camak) means ‘to place or lay something upon anything, so that it may rest upon or be supported by it’. And the word for ‘trust’, (batach) means ‘to set one’s hope and confidence in anyone.’ [Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon]
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Living with a quiet mind is, first of all, living with a constant awareness of the Lord's presence and strength; and it's making the choice in the everyday circumstances of life, to set our hope and confidence in Him, rather than trying to work everything out for ourselves.

It's summed up beautifully in this verse:
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Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long,
and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.
[Deuteronomy 33:12]
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​Turning our thoughts to the Lord, and away from our preoccupations in the midst of daily life is a challenge; but it’s a habit worth our perseverance. Let's take a tip from creation—and let every part of us enter His rest.

THIS WEEK’S GRACE RHYTHM

​At intervals during the day, take a few minutes to allow your soul to become silent, then turn the focus of your gaze on Jesus. Ask Him to help you build this quietness into your walk with Him.

NEXT WEEK:
NEW SERIES: DREAMING OF A PERFECT CHRISTMAS?

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[Photo credits: Motoki Tonn (girl);  Simon Berger (tree); Marcus Winkler (type writer) @ Unsplash, with thanks]