Everyone copes or handles their grief in various ways. Some people want to be left alone, some people eat their feelings, some people want to be surrounded with friends to help them grieve, some people turn to God to deepen their faith and some develop hobbies or throw themselves into work. Some people drink or turn to drugs to cope, you get the idea. I've probably done a little of all of those, except for the drugs part save for a few Advil here and there. That, my friends, brings me to where I am today to write this particular post for your reading pleasure.
I've been working hard or harder than before at discipling my kids. I thought I was pretty good at it, but looking back, I'm not so sure I was. Until this year when I made a conscious decision to sit down with the kids every night to read the Bible and pray with them. It's a work in progress, but it's a good start, if I do say so myself. We've had fits and starts and some days when we haven't sat down and read together, but when we miss a day, we just do it the next day. No big deal.
I went to church on Sunday and listened to the message. I almost always listen to the message unless I'm distracted by my own thoughts, but this Sunday, my mind was quiet and I was paying attention to Pastor Bailiff. He came up with this amazing but simple concept for our lesson and it was titled, "The Mind of Christ." I have to tell you, it was profound because it was foundational. It was so basic, but it was like he was giving me the building blocks to a foundation for a solid relationship with Jesus. I was so glad that I was there for it.
The first principle was that the mind of Christ is a pursuit. You have to take action if you want a relationship with Christ. The first step is to make a profession of faith, but you have to take up your cross daily and work on that relationship.
Second principle was that the mind of Christ is a choice. He cited Colossians 3:1-2 that says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Last principle is that the mind of Christ is a transformation. Romans 12: 1-2 is our reference point for this and it reads, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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."
This was a huge jumping off point for me to dive into the Word of God with my kids and a starting point to kind of overhaul our original approach to studying the Bible together. I hope that this serves as an encouragement to you to start something wonderful with your family as well. Be the spark.
