Recently, a new phrase entered the English language (at least, the American version of English). That phrase is, “top of mind.” It first appeared during a White House press briefing, when a reporter asked the government’s press secretary why the President had asked where a certain dead person was. The spokesperson replied that the deceased person was not only on the mind of the President, but actually “on top of mind,” which is why he had asked about her. In other words, the President had been thinking about her.
Although I have a definite opinion regarding the President’s gaffe, my point here is neither to defend nor ridicule him, but to consider the phrase from a Christian viewpoint. What does it mean to have something on top of one’s mind, and given the many things we could keep in mind, what should that “top-of-mind” thing be?
As we go through the day, many things can rise to the top of our thoughts. They may be that day’s agenda of things that have to be done; or maybe things we want to do. They may be health concerns for ourselves or loved ones. They may be political issues. They may be worries about possible coming disasters or current wars. They may be philosophical questions about the paradigms of the conflict between stoicism and existentialism in the Third Estate of 17th Century France. Or maybe, you’re just thinking about what to eat for supper. Whatever it may be, something is on your mind right now (such as, “Why did I start reading this blog??).
Karen and I have been leading a Bible study using material called Cold Case Christianity*. In it the writer, a former cold-case detective, names the three motives behind all the crimes he ever investigated. They are: money, power, and sexual or other relationships. Such basic human motives do not necessarily lead a person to commit crimes, but one or more of them will rise to our “top of mind” sometime each day. (You may be worrying about paying for your next tank of gas, for example.) I think there are also many small, but important, things that occupy our thoughts – practical thoughts that affect our mundane daily activities, such as dressing, driving, or exercising.
There are also pressures on us each day to think about certain things, pushed on us by commercial and political advertisements. Today, for example, we received several political ads in the mail encouraging us to think about (and vote for) certain candidates. We turn on the TV or the computer and many commercials pop up, selling various products and services (“Ask your doctor if our drug is right for you.” I actually wrote down a week’s worth of such ads and took them to my doctor and asked if they were right for me. He thinks I’m crazy.)
All this is to say that we have active brains that are constantly bringing things to mind, many of which do rise to “top of mind” status. But the question is, “Is everything that comes to mind of equal importance or value?” In other words, “What should be on top of our minds?”
For a Christian, this is not just an academic question. What we think about makes a difference. In the words of the United Negro College Fund, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” This is especially true for Christians who want to honor the God who gave us our precious minds, by not wasting them on things that are temporary or even ungodly. Therefore, we go to the Scriptures to find out what the Lord has to say about our thoughts.
First, we recognize that for Christians, the mind is essential to our being and to our relationship with God. It is not, as many eastern religions assert, in the way of enlightenment. We do not set it aside and go only with feelings as a way to God. (In fact, feelings flow from thoughts.) Job 38:36 says that God has given understanding to our minds.
Second, we become purposeful in our thinking, choosing what we will bring to mind. We don’t just let our mind drift and be passive, taking in whatever comes our way. We do not seek to be “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,” (Romans 12:2a). Instead, we “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Third, we strive to think always about God, about what he has done for us, and what he desires from us. Psalm 1:2 speaks of the blessed man as one whose “delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Fourth, we intentionally rid our minds of sinful thoughts such as lust, greed, hatred, pride, and selfishness. Harboring such thoughts makes us miserable and leads to sins against God and our neighbor. Romans 8:5-6 warns us, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Finally, we turn our attention to those things that are wholesome, pure, and God-honoring. Humility, gratitude, love, a servant heart, and mercy are among those thoughts which bless us and all who come into our lives. Philippians 2:5-7 calls us to have the mind of Christ among us, that is, the mind of humility. By having a mind renewed in Christ, we may “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2b). And don’t forget the greatest commandments as cited by Christ himself: to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
I think it would be interesting to try for just one day, to keep our mind on God: one day filled with prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and love. One day to shun bad and sinful thoughts, one day to think of those things which please God. One day to practice what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8,”Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” What a day that would be!
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 4:17-32; Philippians 4:1-9
*Cold Case Christianity, by J. Warner Wallace, David C. Cook, Colorado Springs, CO. 2013