MENTAL
GRID
Psalm
25, 2,5,9, and 119:97-104
Psalm
25:9: “He guides the humble in what is
right and teaches them His way.”
Eight your old Shakira came home from
the swimming pool to find her dad sitting quietly on the porch. “What’s happening, Daddy, why are you home
before dinnertime?”
“Hi Baby.” Her dad replied. “I’m chatting with God.”
“About what?” Shakira wondered.
“My company downsized again. This time I got caught in the layoffs. So I’m asking God what’s my next step. I need to provide for my family.”
“Oh,” Shakira said softly. She piled up on his lap and threw her arms
around his neck. “I’ll pray too, Daddy,”
kissing him on the jaw.
Shakira’s dad is not totally clueless
on how he’ll proceed, though. He’s been
reading his Bible every day since he was young.
He has a great relationship with God.
He chats with God throughout every day.
Today, as he gathered up his personal stuff from work before leaving early,
he walked out to his car for the last time. And he was smiling.
Shakira’s dad shows us all how to live.
By reading the Bible daily, he knows who God is, what He wants for His
kids, and things He certainly wouldn’t approve. By now, Shakira’s dad has a firm mental grid
in place. This grid sifts information
for him. Instead of “going with his gut
feeling,” he judges whether new information is something he’ll accept, or what
he will reject. It’s all about what
pleases God. Sifting wants through the
grid also forms habits that allow him to live successfully.
For instance, Shakira’s dad is
unhappy with a job that was offered to him on his way home. A power company wants him to read people’s
meters that measure how much electricity they use. They want meter readers to add 10% to the
reading each month.
“You’re robbing people.” Shakira’s
dad informed the recruiter.
“Not exactly,” was the reply. “Ten percent covers our expense to go to people’s
homes rain or shine, deal with nosy neighbors and biting dogs. It’s fair compensation.”
Take
Home Nugget
Shakira’s
dad knew that the power company was padding bills with an unnecessary 10% every
month. He knows that the devil daily tries
sneaking evil through his mental grid.
So today, he refused the meter-reading job because adding 10% was sinful
behavior. He is content to wait for God
to bring him a job that is a perfect fit for him. He was confident that it will come in God’s
perfect timing.
God’s will is for all His
kids to live truthfully. He wants us to
live with a clean and pure conscience.
Having a firm mental grid in place ends
relying on unreliable gut feelings.
J.D. Griffith
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