If you have been with me for a while, you know by now that one of my favorite phrases and things to do is to “ponder,” to weigh in the mind, to think about, to reflect upon . . . Imagine my surprise then as I was having some personal time of worship with God today –
singing some of the “old” hymns and I saw in a fresh light this line . . . “Ponder a new what the Almighty can do, if with His love He befriends thee.” (From Praise to the Lord, the Almighty written by Joachim Neander)
Well, I already know God has befriended me with His love, so that admonition to “Ponder Anew”sounds like a wonderful theme for my 2015.
You see, I’ve known about God since birth, and been a personal friend of His since about age 12 when I accepted His gift of grace and forgiveness. This rich heritage is indeed a blessing. At times it is a challenge too. I can read a passage of the Bible that I have read or heard so many times, I can quote it by heart and tell you the general gist of the meaning and application. Yet sometimes it stops there – it is almost a rote knowledge that fails to penetrate the depths of my mind and heart.
So in 2015 it is time for me to Ponder Anew . . . what I read and hear from God. To see it in a new light and apply it in a very real and personal way. It is time to quit manipulating or glossing over or assume the truth I know and instead to start fresh and ponder each passage anew.
I had already been sensing that God was asking me to go deeper into prayer this new year. As I spent some time today studying and reflecting on prayer (and yes – praying too!) it became very apparent that to go deeper in my prayer life means I also need to go deeper in uncovering and turning from sin. Well that doesn’t sound fun! Yet I sense it is another place I need to ponder anew . . .
I wrapped up my worship time with a favorite hymn (written by Kate B Wilkinson) that I think has such depth of application, it seems to be a good way to sum up the frame in which I want to structure my 2015.
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling all I do and and say.
May the Word of God dwell rightly in my heart from hour to hour
So that all may see I triumph only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort, sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.
May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe
Looking only unto Jesus, as I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.
If you are not familiar with this hymn, “May the Mind of Christ my Savior” click here to hear it.
Would love to hear about your ponderings . . . .