I am starting to be concerned. My wife has taken to watching a channel that features renovating houses. Builders take ordinary houses and turn them into works of art and wonder. Since we live in an ordinary house I am wondering what is going on in her head. Even though she says she is just curious, I know that what we behold affects our thinking and desires. If this continues I would not be surprised to hear talk about redoing the kitchen or the bathroom.
It is a rule of nature that what we behold becomes part of us. When we are young we are especially vulnerable to external influences and we never completely grow out of it. When I am reading a good book I think about it as I ride back and forth to work. When I associate with my friends I note it does not take me long before I am talking like them and even dressing like them.
John was a teen when he started following Jesus. It is no wonder his gospel is so different from the first three. It is filled with promises of Jesus’ love. Those three years he was with Jesus molded him into the likeness of his Master. It is the same for us. If we really want to be like Jesus we have to spend time with Him. We have to read about Him. We have to talk to Him and without our being consciously aware we will be changed. It’s the law. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” It happens.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 11, 2008
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574