Day 12 of Lent: Christ's Mind Is Within You

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 2:5

We can share in Christ's mission in the world because Christ's spirit and mind are essential to our identity.  God's energy and wisdom within us gives birth to and guides each moment of our lives.  Although our moment-by-moment creativity shapes the character of God's presence in our lives, there is always a Christ-like movement in our experience as children of God.

Paul describes a deep connection between God's Spirit and our own: When we cry, "Abba! Father! it is that very same spirit that bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.  Romans 8:15-16)  God's voice speaks through our thoughts, emotions, and actions at our deepest level of our being.
The mind of Christ inspires our lives and motivates us to do those things that we are urged to do as children of God.  We are connected to God by the Spirit of God that indwells us from our baptisms throughout our lives.  We see our reflection in God's Spirit as we seek to identify with the suffering and hope of humankind.

Reflect on the ministry of Jesus and think about who he identified with--prostitutes, farmers, fishermen, revolutionaries, Roman sympathizers, little children.  Christ's mind urges us also to be concerned for and about those in society who are often overlooked and neglected, and sometimes even abused and oppressed.

Think about these ideas:
Christ's mind speaks through my mind.
In Christ's mind, I am connected with all things
Christ's energy flows through my body, mind, and spirit.
I experience Christ's wisdom as I live and act on his behalf.

Prayer:
O Gracious God, help me experience the world as Jesus did, hearing your voice in the wind, smelling the fragrance of love in anointing oil, experiencing energy in touch, tasting your goodness in meals of companionship, and seeing your wonder in the least and the lost.  Bless my mind and all my senses that they may give you glory as they bless the world through thoughts, words, and acts of love,  Amen.  

(Thoughts taken from Holy Adventure by Bruce G. Epperly.)