July 2023: An Undivided Mind
Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I’ll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to. You’ve always been great toward me—what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster! God, these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me— and they don’t care a thing about you. But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much you love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you, GOD, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet.
Psalms 86:11-31 MSG
I have been meditating on the Psalms over the last few weeks. I find it helpful to read through the Message Translation by Eugene Peterson, he has found a way to bring life to the poetry of the Biblical authors in a profound way. In chapter 86, he translates the author’s plea for attention to God as an undivided heart and mind. And that has fueled my imagination and has become a simple prayer to God, “give me an undivided mind.” This prayer has become my plea and my own anchor in the midst of the demands of the world.
How easy it is for me to lose sight of what God is saying or doing because of the little pings from my phone, the distractions of a conversation, and the hurriedness of our culture. Why does it feel like God’s presence only comes when the mood is set with a candle and absolute silence? I know that it is not because God is waiting for me in the hidden place of my home, but rather because I am a man with a divided heart and miss Him on the way to the mundanity of my life.
When I allow myself to be still in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the ‘next thing to do’, I suddenly become more aware that God has been waiting for me the whole time at the corner of 4th and Cherry, in the commute, in the middle of the argument, and on my lunch break with me. It is those moments, when I am hit by the reality that God is not the problem for being far, but my divided and distracted mind keeping me from the even bigger reality that God’s presence is in the air around me.
Maybe you are more spiritual than me, and this specific musing doesn’t resonate at all. Maybe you are like me and struggle with having your mind on the many tasks that need to be done. Ultimately, I know I must become a leader with an undivided mind for the Lord, and the tasks He has for me. May we be leaders of an undivided sort, who are attentive to where God is in the midst of the everyday ordinary. May our House Churches not be another thing on the task list, but another place where we are met with the reality that “God is with us,” and we get to receive Him at our table.
God has been waiting for me the whole time at the corner of 4th and Cherry
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This month, may we slow down and purge our schedules and habits in order to pay attention to where God has been and where He wants our House Churches to be.
Community Go Camping
Slow down and plan a night away with those in your House Church. Camping as a group can be a fun way to get some distance from the noise of the city and into the simplicity of nature.
Formation Practice Fasting
Fasting is a difficult discipline for many of us. In the West, we tend not to like limiting our appetites regardless of what they may be. Invite your House Church in the practice of omitting physical eating to feast on God’s presence.
Check out Practicing the Way’s content of Fasting, and see how it could change your discipleship.
Presence Daily Office
I have found that the best way for me to fight having a divided mind is to incorporate the discipline of the daily office. This is where you dedicate set times throughout your day to simply office and be with God.
A personal rhythm that you may find helpful:
Morning Office (15-30 minutes): Pray for the day, talk to God, worship, and read scripture
Mid-Day Office (5 minutes): Escape from the business of your day to talk to God. Pray for those in your life and contend for the rest of the day.
Evening Office (10-15 minutes): Examen your day with God and review where He was, where you missed Him, where you responded with the Spirit, and where you sinned.
I find the Inner Room App a helpful guide and reminder to pray regularly.
Mission Summer Barbecue
I can’t help but associate July with barbecues. Get your House Church together to light up the grill with some hamburgers and hot dogs, and invite your neighbors to join!