Let Me Entertain You
Unbeknownst to my sensible mind, I’ve been “entertaining” some grundgy inside voices that tend to make me feel less than God created me to be. And, worst of all, as I “entertain” those self-defeating thoughts, I hear the enemy singing that old Broadway song: “Let me entertain you!” Oh yes, that’s the enemy’s ploy — to cause us to entertain his dishonesty and negativity.
I was born at night – but not last night. I get it. I catch on quickly. I know that I need to give my head a shake and say: “Where did THAT thought come from?” Because where it comes from, determines where it leads to. And if the thought takes me from my God-given calling, no telling where I can end up. My God-given calling leads me to purpose, to joy, to peace. God called me to abundance, to overcome, to hope, to freedom. St. Paul tells us what to do: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). That’s the action that gives us traction against the lies of the enemy.
How many times have I wallowed in self-pity — as I entertained a negative thought. And how many times did I stand up to the lies of “the enemy – the entertainer” and get up out of that funk? I’m typing this blog in the first person, but I know it applies to you, too! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a “bouncer” at the door of our minds who kicked out the negative thoughts as quickly as they tried to enter? Wouldn’t it be amazing to have someone on the inside who guarded our hearts from any adverse thoughts? Oh, we DO have Someone on the INSIDE!
Years ago, when we lived in Oklahoma City, we were well acquainted with the owner and general manager of a large discount, name brand, shoe store. Because she knew us and our hearts for serving God and His people, she would give us ridiculously low prices at check-out. Sometimes we’d pay only three or four dollars for each pair. We would come home with a dozen or more name brand shoes for our entire family.
I am telling you AND me – we DO have someone greater than all these on the inside of us. The place where God is, the place where He wants to take us – it contains no darkness, no snark, no animosity, no despair, no bitterness, no lack, no lack of self-confidence, no sin. It is a place of only peace, joy, love, hope and mercy. It is a place of abundant life. There is no knowledge of evil. Heaven contains none. He wants His will on earth as it is in heaven.
I can’t control whether other people’s hearts are pure, but I can allow God to purify my heart and mind. It almost seems like an impossible task to keep the negative thoughts from coming but, “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
When I “take captive” (shut the door) to any negative mindset and thoughts, and then I purpose to replace them with possibility thoughts, joy and gratitude thoughts – allowing God to fill my thoughts with His thoughts – then everything changes. If I think of the beautiful Beatitudes and how it is the pure of heart who see God — the pure of heart sees the good in themselves, wants the good for others, and brings the good to the world. I KNOW Someone on the inside – and He is the peacemaker, the chain breaker, the life-changer and good-provider. I’ll stick with Him to be my Entertainer. How about you?