grace given me

As the new year begins and I consider the things I want to change in the new year, I’d like to change my filter. A Google AI search says, “You should change your car’s filters regularly to maintain your car’s health… Regular filter replacements can improve your vehicle’s performance, prevent damage, and enhance efficiency.” Health, improved performance, damage prevention and enhanced efficiency? Yes please.

I have recently noticed that I am filtering life through me – my thoughts, my experiences, my opinions, my beliefs, my likes, my dislikes. So self-oriented. I recommended a helpful book to a family member and she politely declined. What did I do? I entertained feelings of rejection and judgment which took me down a completely different path than what I intended when I made the recommendation in the first place. A desire to walk alongside this person I loved turned inward quick. In the same week, a dear friend shared a heavy medical diagnosis and what did I do? For some reason I focused on insurance coverage. In those initial moments my friend wanted to feel supported and heard. I care deeply for this person. Without intentionality my thoughts wandered recklessly.

I have been spending time in Romans and here are some of the verses that got me.
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:9-10)
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Ok, convicted. I don’t want to go through the motions. I want to be genuine and intentional. The battle is won in the small moments of life. 

Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. I need to change my filter to God’s filter. His thoughts, His experiences, His opinions, His beliefs, His likes, His dislikes.

Later on in Romans 15:13 it says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Joy, peace, hope, power. Who doesn’t want that? I encourage you to look back over your own week. Can you think of a moment when you filtered an experience or conversation through your own filter? Maybe someone was unjustly rude to you. Maybe you had a challenging conversation with a family member, co-worker or friend. How could God’s filter have brought you more joy, peace, hope, power in that situation? If you desire it, just spend a little time with Him and ask for it. He will give it to you. He is faithful, you can trust Him.

Lord, please help me to change my filter. I want to be preoccupied with you, like Jesus was. Your thoughts (for we have the mind of Christ), your experiences (we know your ways from your word), your opinions and beliefs (love, mercy, justice), your likes and dislikes (you want above all a relationship with us). I want to see through your filter. Just as Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19) I pray to slow down, to see what you want me to do. Amen.