How I Think

Ahhh… Vacation. Making the time to do something different. Take a break. Disconnect. Unwind. Refresh.

Life can be a wearying pace. Distractions loom every moment. Your mind is frazzled with duties, heavy loads, responsibilities, and stress-induced sleeplessness. You care for others, often more than you care for yourself. Hence, you need these slivers of time to unload.

I’m sitting at the dining table of our vacation spot, staring across Lake Chelan to life on the other side of the water. Before you know it, you’re in analytical mode (normal) and considering life there versus here. Why did that bird land there in the water, and can you see what seems to be a current flowing east and west, leaving a smooth trail on the wind-blown surface?

Distractions.

A task creeps in, and before you know it, I’ve switched screens and responded to someone who reached out yesterday.

Cares.

There is an ongoing shopping and to-do list you share with your bride. An item knocks on the door and says, “Add this…” “Don’t forget that…” By all means, make sure to remember so-and-so.

Loads.

Since I also have a life outside of my home, the varied responsibilities whisper to my mind. Wait. You need to finish this, start that – you know, the this and that’s of life.

Responsibilities.

You gaze out the window, and a speck is twisting and turning up the road across the lake, and you wonder where they are going. You think. If I had to live here, I’d plant more trees – there’s not enough green. Then you long for the forest in the mountains, chilled to refrigerator temperatures, thinking it’s time to go home.

Wishful Thinking.

And then? You bring into captivity every thought… Wait. That’ll preach! Right, Paul? Before you know it? You’re outlining a bible study that will be the right Word in the right season.

This morning….

I’m reading through my scratch paper notebook and gleaning important words and thoughts that need to be saved, handled, redistributed, or tossed. Get the good, and toss the rest. Whoa! Did I say that? I promise. I’m working on streamlining my world, and that means not keeping everything just because I can.

Bible Study Thought From Above

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
For though we walk in the flesh,
we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity
to the obedience of Christ,
and being ready to punish all disobedience
when your obedience is fulfilled.

Remember, none of the Bible was written with chapters, verses, or sectional headings in mind. This was a letter written to be read by those in Corinth. It was probably shared reading in their “church assembly,” copies and shared with others, and then eventually collected and identified as an authorized word to be included in our Bible.

That said, Paul is writing a section of this letter defending his ministry.

To get the whole,
you must begin before,
and read to after.

He is comparing himself to others, and perhaps, if you want a ministry or understanding like Paul’s, you must put yourself out there to be heard and challenged. Then, you must be ready to defend and instruct.

But notice that Paul instructs the reader to “bring every thought into captivity.” Of course, he’s talking about the defense of the scripture. Scrape wayward conversations that cannot be dealt with at this time and focus on the matter at hand.

Drill down. Analytical prowess. Think it through. Keep your focus. Know what matters and discount that which doesn’t. Cross reference.

Get the picture? Keep your thinking cap on with the matter, and quit going down rabbit trails!

Though I’m on vacation (whatever that may mean), I am still focused on what God gives me to think through.