Last Saturday I went to a James Taylor concert. When I was in college I would spend
hours alone in my room listening to James Taylor albums. At that time his music was my
comfort. I was living a pretty
self-focused, sin-driven life. I
knew Christ, but didn’t understand what it meant to walk with Him in a daily,
life-giving, and victorious
way. Jesus was the one I would
constantly go to and confess my sin only to go back and remain in the vicious
cycle of sin. I had not filled my
mind and heart with His Word. So
it was with a little fear in my heart that I accepted the free concert tickets, knowing that my mind could be drawn back into my old way of
thinking.
As I sat in the large outdoor pavilion full of people, I
realized I must live a sheltered life because I couldn’t remember the last time
I was in such a large crowd of people outside of a Christian gathering. However, I was not fearful or uneasy,
instead I felt confident and assured of God’s presence in that moment and of
His Word in my heart and mind. Jesus, when faced with a crowd, always felt compassion on
people, seeing them as helpless and harassed, like sheep without a
shepherd. Jesus’ compassion washed
over me as I no longer saw a large crowd of people, but saw individuals with
personal stories of hurts, wounds, struggles, as well as joys. What were their stories and had Christ
entered into their journey like He had entered into mine many years ago?
 |
| James Taylor |
James Taylor walked inconspicuously on to the stage, sat
down and began to play his guitar. The memories began to flood my mind. I could
still see myself in that dorm room, listening for hours to his music searching
for significance and acceptance in the lyrics, “You’ve got a friend.” Then, he began to tell the story of
being homesick while in London which inspired him to pen the words “I’m going
to Carolina in my mind.” It was at
that moment that I realized the memories of the past were not affecting me like
I thought they would. Instead I began to hear a different message as he sang
that old familiar song. My
mind wasn’t going back to my old way of thinking. My mind was going to the Lord and His truth. I was reminded of God’s grace, mercy
and of how perfectly He loves me. The Lord confirmed that my mind had been
renewed and in the process His Word had transformed my life!
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of
the past. Behold, I will do
something new, will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the
dessert. “ Isaiah 43:18-19
Do you need God to do something new in your life? Are you trapped in the shame and
regrets of your past? Quit going
back to those old thoughts!
Instead, offer yourself completely to Him, filling up with His truth and
you will see Him make roadways in your wilderness and bring refreshing rivers
into the barrenness of your past.
He did it for me. He will
do it for you!
With Jesus in my mind,
Nancy
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