The Mind

The mind is a wondrous thing,

It races off on paths of its own choosing,

Rarely stopping to see if I am following.

At times, I must reign it in;

As it bolts down paths, I would rather,

It did not go.

At others, hasten to join its joyous tumult,

As it rides on waves of faith,

And the Spirit’s leading.

This mind, left to its own,

Or to the devil’s devices,

Can plunge me to the depths of doubt and despair.

But, kept in check, by my spirit-man,

Yoked in unity with my Saviour,

It can lift me to the heavens on wings of an eagle.

The mind is like my body,

Feed it and it will grow, in health or in obesity,

Starve it and it will fade away.

What then shall I feed my mind upon?

Horror, fear, bad news, misery and hate,

Till it grows bitter, twisted and ugly?

Or maybe pleasant pastimes,

Self gratification, pleasing words of fantasy;

Pleasurable foods, fattening, but giving no strength.

My Lord tells me how to grow,

"Feed upon My Word,

It is your daily bread, the staff of Life."

There is health in the Word of God,

Food for my mind,

Strength for my bones and life for my spirit.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good",

"His Word is like honey to my lips",

So much is contained therein upon which I may feed.

There is the ‘milk’ of the Word,

And the ‘meat’,

How can I complain that I have only manna or bread?

The Lord says,

"Would a man give his child stone for bread, or a snake for fish?"

Why then would He starve us?

His food is there for the taking, there for the asking;

If we think we cannot find it, then,

"Seek and ye shall find, ask and it shall be given.

My mind must dwell on God’s Word,

I must hide it safely in my heart,

That I may speak it out, and sin not against the Holy One.

Renew my mind, oh Lord,

Refresh my faith,

Graft me into Your vine, and hold me close, Amen.

© 24-26/9/2003