For ten years of my husband’s ministry, we lived in a parsonage with a pond out back. The delightful view from the kitchen window made dishwashing a much more pleasant task. Light and shadow played on grass, trees, and water, creating an ever-changing scene. Wading birds grazed the edges–herons, egrets, and wood storks. Anhingas and ducks enjoyed an occasional swim.
During several spring seasons, a brown duck and his mate chose our pond to raise their family. It was especially fun to watch the pond-crossings of Mother Duck and her brood. As she ventured out onto the water, the little ones fell into line behind her.
When I say line, I do mean line–straight enough to rival the Radio City Rockettes. But at some point, Mother would turn. And with split-second precision, those ducklings would also turn, as if she’d given them a cue ahead of time. (Had she? Perhaps God has given them the ability to communicate with body language that zoologists haven’t noticed yet!)
To appreciate their performance even more, consider that the eyes of ducks are on the sides of their heads. Can they even see well straight ahead?
Oh, that I could be like those little ducks, responding to God’s leading with split-second precision.
Why don’t I relax and stop fretting about outcomes? Isaiah reminds me:
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail (Isaiah 58:11).
Why do I concern myself with what-ifs, when Jesus said:
“Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it…Seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 11:29-31).
Why don’t I respond with quiet trust, when Paul assures me:
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).
I’m beginning to understand what happens. When worry, self-doubt, and fear occupy my mind, I’m allowing my emotions to take the lead, not the truths of scriptures. Lousy leaders, those emotions.
I need to become more aware of my thought life–not let my mind just roam around helter-skelter. Paul used military terminology to describe our course of action. That makes sense, since spiritual warfare does occur in the mind. Paul said, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
I like the way Eugene Peterson interprets that verse: “We…fit every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ”(The Message).
The scriptures mentioned above would be good places to start. I can write key phrases on 3×5 cards or slips of paper and stash them here and there–on a mirror, in a dresser drawer, on the car visor, in the refrigerator! (Yes, in! That ought to grab my attention!) Over time I would expect these memory-joggers to train my brain toward positivity and faith.
The day may come when I won’t even need the reminders anymore. When my thoughts line up and follow Christ’s leading, so will my emotions.
Imagine the peace, joy, and contentment!
(Photo credit: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org.)
From the Inside Out 