Christian Living

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Larry Lilly’s Letter Tuesday January 10, 2006

I think I will continue my series on Henry Drummond's 8 rules for discovering and doing the will of God.

Number 2 in Mr. Drummond’s famous list is simply the word:
Think.

Webster's unabridged online dictionary uses a number of pages to define what we call thinking. I list a few of the parts of thinking below:
1 a : to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference as distinguished from simple sense perception b (1) : to exercise the powers of thought with regard to a particular matter -- often used with a preposition (as about, of, or on) (2) : to call an idea (as of a possible solution or a device) to mind by mental effort -- usually used with of
2 a : to have the mind engaged in reflection : MEDITATE -- usually used with a preposition (as about, of, on, or upon) b (1) : to have something (as a plan) in the mind -- usually used with of or about (2) : to consider the suitability (as of a person under consideration for a vacant position) -- usually used with of

When Henry Drummond listed thinking about the will of God concerning any area of his life, he had in mind what we now call contemplative thinking, imagining or picturing the thing or person thought about and using reason to think about the ultimate consequences of action the thinking would lead to. How many the times I have heard weeping people cry out, “I never thought it would end like this!” Often this is the result of jumping on some emotional bandwagon without giving the action enough thought, failing to think it through. Even a rocket scientist can get the thought that planting seed corn will result in a corn crop at a later date. So, the scriptural person can think through the facts of the scripture and predict that the seeds of sin will produce a harvest of heartache and disappointment. Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind is the principle.

By the grace of God I am resolved to give more thought to my actions this year and for the rest of my years. Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” this truth is or should be written on the mind and heart of every Christian, and cause us to check our thoughts and also to help to learn the value of disciplined thinking. Paul tells in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

How many actions have you taken in past years, that upon further thought, you wish you had taken a different course? Prayerfully, contemplatively thinking a thing through in advance will save you a lot of grief, a ton of money and perhaps even your family. I personally know that it is only the grace of God that over the years I did not lose my family. The practice of jumping into something simply because it should be done, cost me everything else. Many things should be done, but a thought process based on the scripture will show that no one can do everything and thus we are left with the tool of prayerful thinking to ascertain God’s will as far as we are concerned about the decisions of life.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit

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