There is so much that weighs heavily on a woman's mind. Not only is she occupied with the needs of her family but she is processing all of life at the speed of light. These days we are bombarded with news, texts, emails, twitters, and blogs. The information that comes to us in any given day far exceeds what a woman would have had to process in New Testament days. The distractions that come with managing a household are similar to those experienced by our NT sisters, but add to that the precious minutes of life that are lost being left on hold while contacting customer service for a malfunctioning appliance, or tech-support to handle a computer glitch, or managing files for insurance, banking, DMV, etc and your head spins out of control.
Today's older Christian woman faces these challenges all the while being called to teach and train younger women. And so, like the NT older women are called to sober-mindedness, we are as well!!
The women in Titus 2 needed to be taught how their thought life was critical for their Christian witness and ministry. One might think it is not difficult for an older woman to be sober minded, but I'm here to tell you it is. For, after all the physical duties of a day are completed, the older woman facing the challenges of aging, is tempted to indulge in mindless activity. Believe me. I know. There comes a point in a day when a woman says, "enough!". And the temptation is strong to indulge the mind in habitual mindless television viewing, oversleeping, popping a few pills or drinking too much alcohol. Quite possibly an older woman may even find a mental and emotional escape in overeating. There comes a point in every day when an older woman is tempted to rationalize selfish behavior for the momentary mental relief from responsibilities.
Sober-mindedness has to do with temperance: showing moderation or restraint. To be sober-minded is to not be under the influence of anything that would not allow for clear minded thoughts about life, faith and service to God and others.
Sober-mindedness isn't something we tack on to the end of our day. It isn't something we fit into the schedule. Sober-mindedness is processing all of life through the truth of God's word. It is being able to process a response, or an answer, or an attitude, a crisis or a counseling situation with a mind ready for action. It is a mind that is poised to speak and act wisely. It is not mindlessness. It is not a mind dulled by substances or slothfulness.
All Christians are called to be sober-minded (I Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8). But pastors, deacons, older men and older women are specifically called to sober-mindedness. This is because they (we) bear a greater responsibility to teach and to set an example for those that are learning from us.
So, this the challenge: What is there in my life that is keeping me from thinking soberly?
What patterns of behavior are dulling my mind?
Am I truly:
"[setting] my mind on the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5)
"[setting] my mind on things above" (Colossians 3:2)
"[preparing] my mind for action" (I Peter 1:13)
"mature in my thinking" (I Cor. 14:20)
"taking every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5)
If I am, then I am living "under the influence" of something very powerful and very good.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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4 comments:
great stuff. here's a question for you though--where does taking a break from a hectic life, whether it's by watching a movie, taking a nap, or playing a game fit into your description of sober-mindedness. I don't think that you are saying that these things in and of themselves are bad, but just wondering where they fit... Rest and relaxation are talked about and encouraged in the Bible, no?
ABSOLUTELY!!! What would I do, or what would I be like today if it were not for enjoying God's good gift of rest and relaxation?
What we are talking about here, though, is making sure our minds are never altered by any substance or dulled by too much rest or relaxation.
We can rest and we can relax (and should) while at the same time keeping our minds sharp and ready for the Master's use.
Glad you asked.
thought I'd share this from Spurgeon:
"Blessed are those whose night thoughts are memories of the eternal light.... Are your night thoughts full of light because they are full of God? Is His name the natural subject of your evening reflections [relaxation moments]? If so, it will give tone to your morning and noonday hours. Or do you give your mind to the fleeting cares and pleasures of this world? If so, it is little wonder that you do not live as you should. No one is holy by chance. If we have no memory for Jehovah's name, then we are not likely to remember His commandments. If we do not think of Him secretly, we will not obey Him openly" (Beside Still Waters, C. H. Spurgeon, edited by Roy H. Clarke, p. 103; emphasis and [ ] added).
Amen.
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