My Paisley Chair

Most of the time it is easy to recognize when something is out of order. The scope and sequence are almost right, but not quite. Process and procedure are followed correctly, but the outcome… not what was expected.

Usually, I can power through like the Little Engine that Could, find the error and get on with the task at hand. Just a cup of coffee, stand, stretch and get back at it.

Not so every time! When I feel like a train wreck and need to get back on track, a whole system shut down is required. That kind of reboot includes a nap, quiet time with my Bible and journal, and space.

The Little Engine that Could

The other day I wanted to be the Little Engine and by shear grit and determination “git er done!” But alas – I could not pull it off. And I could not quit thinking about this book!

How about that Little Engine? A little guy with a big heart! It would be dangerous to underestimate the power of determination and a confirmed destination. Responsible for all sorts of fun stuff like giraffes poking out the top of boxcars, wild and fascinating animals of all sorts with clowns and candy included. And making sure the caboose is not left behind.

Train engines are equipped with loud whistles to warn of danger. Side Note: There are no train tracks close to my house now and I do miss hearing a good long train whistle. I find that when life is about to go off the rails there are usually some red flags, which I totally ignored the other day!

After the nap…

There is a repetitive pattern in scripture that shows me how to order my life to stay on track. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” This reference is included in both the Old and New Testaments and it works!

The Order is Important!

Heart (engine), Soul (boxcars), and Mind (caboose).

The Heart

We can live according to scripture, because we have received the promise of a recreated heart. A new tender heart, no longer stoney, immovable and demanding changes everything. The new heart remains pliable and submissive to God’s will.

As a child I sang the song “Into my heart, into my heart. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” and He did and He made it new.

The Soul

By definition the soul is the living being, the self, the seat of appetites, emotions, passions, and activity of mind and character… This is a whole lot like the fun (messy) stuff in the boxcars in the book.

Emotional momentum is a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with. Get emotions going in a wrong direction, unchecked, or spiraling downhill and it can be nearly impossible to keep them from jumping track. (I’m not against emotions; I was raised with a bunch of them. They just can’t be in front of the train!)

The soul – including personality – has been redeemed (bought with a precious high price). Redemption and restoration of soul includes peace, security and identity.

With this amazing capacity, the potential for conflicting emotions is huge. Containing anger as well as patience, love and hate, insecurity and confidence, all within the same space. This is a disaster looking for a place to happen… IF our soul is not secure.

Fun fact: in its proper place the soul is obedient. Psalms indicates the soul responds to instructions – being told what to do – and is completely compliant. The soul is responsive when told to bless the Lord, hope in God, and be lifted up. Its responses include thirsting, waiting, delighting, and trusting in God, being delivered, comforted and satisfied.

The Mind

It is important that the mind be vigilant and ready for action to pump the brakes when something gets out of line or is traveling too fast. As the mind is being renewed it needs rails, or the parameters of the Word of God, to be ready as a safety net for the twists and turns of life. The mind, like the soul, is a great follower. We should never leave the train yard without the caboose!

Renewing the mind, or restocking the caboose, may be the most important part. Being prepared is a means to the peace of mind necessary for a successful journey. Thoughts can be captured and brought into obedience to the Word of God.

Soul in Check

The heart and mind keep the soul in check; between a recreated heart and a renewing mind there is security and safety for the soul at rest. Once in motion the boxcars will keep up with the engine and roll merrily along, tucked in front of the caboose, which serves as a safety net.

I’ve been told that “nobody gets my illustrations”, but that’s OK with me. This childlike approach helps me put things in perspective and get back on track.

Back on track!

Circumstances caused some heartache the other day and I allowed my emotions to take over. Emotional momentum rushed to thoughts without basis and my mind was slow to respond with the truth of God’s word. My day quickly got out of control with emotions taking the lead. I had a hard time pumping the brakes and taking a breath. Time for a reboot!

With my heart wholly and steadfastly back in its rightful place, setting the course and speed, my emotions followed and my thoughts came back in line with Truth.

This is my “train yard” scripture: Ps 131: 1-2 “LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother. My soul is at rest within me.”

Pump the brakes, slow down, get things in order, and get back on track!

Questions I ask myself:

• Have I diligently guarded my heart so that it will not be distracted and muddy the streams of life that are supposed to flow?
• Is my mind being renewed daily as I submit to the Word and order my life accordingly? What are the progress points of becoming more Christ like-minded?
• Do I notice when my emotions get out in front of me? How can I realize this sooner?
• How did I miss the warning signs like busyness, exhaustion, and lack of devoted times?

Prayer:

Sweet Jesus,

Thank You for a new tender heart that is steadfast and secure. Continue to renew my mind so that I will quickly capture thoughts that are not obedient to Your word.

Since You have redeemed and restored my soul, help me be responsive to You, not distracted by every wind or wave that captures my attention. I can, and will calm and quiet my soul and rest with You.

Help me be quicker to recognize if I’m about to jump track. Don’t let me miss the subtle hints and red flags You put in place as warnings. Please sensitize my ears to the whistles of danger. I don’t want to waste time in the wrong direction.

AMEN

What does the Bible say? (scriptures referenced)

Matt 22:37, Mark 12:30 & Luke 10:27 “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” (Deut 30:6 and Joshua 22:5)

Ezekiel 11:19 “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.”

Psalms 3:3 “He restores my soul.”

Psalms 49:15 “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Psalms 71:23 “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Hebrews 5: 14 “But solid food (knowledge beyond basic principles) belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Until next time…

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