Weekly Devotionals Return To CMCentral

CMCentral is happy to announce the rejuvenation of a once-popular feature, the Weekly Devotional. Our hope is that this feature will remind us all once again of what this site, and our lives are really all about: the worship of God.

Our celebration and exploration of the Christian music scene flows from our interest in and passion for music, and in this case, specifically Christian music that pleases and glorifies the Lord. Take it one step further, and our interest in CM flows out of our passion for the One being celebrated. I love the way the Lord so often uses music to reach our hearts, to teach and touch us in significant ways in places deep within. It’s a method that goes back as far as Saul calling for music to soothe the torment of his soul, and the Lord sending David to minister to him with his harp.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the charts, record sales, or the latest concerts and forget what this is really all about. It happens to me, too. So it is our hope that the weekly devotional will serve to remind us all of what comes first and foremost, in every case.

We will be featuring the devotionals of modern day 'Davids,' popular Christian artists and authors of the day bringing us a word from their own worship experiences in Scripture. At different times I will also share a devotional related to the way a contemporary song has ministered to or encouraged me as well, beginning with this week's devotional (below). So check us out each Monday for a word in season.

Taking My Thoughts Captive

"We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

As I walked the wooden boardwalk last week and gazed out at the Atlantic Ocean furling and unfurling across the white beach, the sea was having its usual mesmerizing effect on me. So much so that I hadn’t noticed the negative self-talk going on in my mind as the blocks flew by.

It’s not a pit I slip into often, but I think most of us make the occasional visit, maybe women more than men. Our minds can pick over the little things we’ve not done perfectly, or words we’ve said a bit too quickly, gnawing away at our peace like a dog with a bone. When I do it, it tends to be almost unconsciously; I don’t even realize it happening until I notice the damp pall that has seeped into my thoughts. Just like those undulating waves of the blue-gray ocean, critical thoughts roll across my mind and spirit, in and out. . .  in and out.

At almost the same moment I began to become aware of the lyrics pouring out of my MP3 player, no coincidence, I’m sure. It “just happened” that Shawn McDonald’s “Pride” was playing, from his Scattered Pieces: Live album. The quietly rolling guitar chords seemed to echo the movement of the ocean as he sang “goodbye” to pride and hate. “Hate, walk out the door, I don’t need you anymore.” I was immediately struck by the truth of his words, and the effectiveness of his act of casting son out of his heart. I had to choose at that moment in which direction to aim my thinking.

We don’t tend to think of self-negativity as pride. But it is just pride with a twist. Anytime that we become overly focused on ourselves, or my thoughts are filled with me, me, me it is pride. That repetitive negative thinking also qualifies as hatred, especially sad and wasteful when directed at myself. A long time ago it was an ongoing problem for me, until I realized it was sin.

The Lord paid a costly, brutal price for me, to deliver me from the consequences of my sin and from every evil that seeks my destruction. If I willingly go along with those forces, and become fixated on myself and my flaws rather than turning my thoughts toward His goodness and His truth, I am agreeing with His enemies and in a personal sense, negating His deliverance and triumph for my life.

The more time I spend thinking negatively about myself, the less time my mind has to focus on the goodness of the Lord, or preparing myself for His plans for my life. When I use up my mind and my time with wasteful, unproductive thoughts, who does it glorify? I’ve been given the power and the desire to take charge of my thought life, to turn it toward God and His purposes for my life. I want to guard it and use it for His glory always. And the amazing truth of the matter is, I can now. “Goodbye, Pride, walk out that door. I don’t need you anymore.”

Prayer for the week:  Lord, thank You for Your steadfast love for me. I’m sorry for the times I forget it, or overlook it. I want to remember that You counted me worth dying for. Help me, please, to take every thought captive, for Your glory. Amen.