Consider Jesus: Thought Discipline

Last updated on: September 15, 2022 at 11:25 am by Kathleen Mulhern

Consider Jesus: Thought Discipline 2022-09-15T11:25:28-06:00 Kathleen Mulhern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As I finish up Hebrews again, I’m struck by the last few chapters and the ways they address those of us who, for whatever reason, find ourselves drooping, losing heart, gutted by life. The author pushes us to persevere, to push on into faith with reminders like this: “draw near to God in confidence,” “encourage one another,” “do not throw away your confidence.” Then that majestic testimony to the power of faith in the lives of so many: the victorious, the brave, the tenacious, the strong; the persecuted, the hounded, the imprisoned, the slaughtered, the destitute. Therefore…

Consider Jesus. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Direct your thoughts, as feral as they seem to be sometimes, toward this one Person.

Dallas Willard once wrote, “The key, then, to loving God is to see Jesus, to hold him before the mind with as much fullness and clarity as possible. It is to adore him.”

Ludolph agreed, writing this:

In everything you say and do keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as your model: walking and standing, sitting and getting up, eating and drinking, speaking and keeping silence, alone or with others. In this way, you will grow to love him more, familiarity with him will increase your faith and grace, and you will become more perfect in virtue. Let this be your wisdom and your purpose: always to be thinking somehow about Jesus, so that you are striving to imitate him more closely or love him more deeply.

Can we really live like this? Can I study, do the crossword puzzle, read scripture, watch football, pray, grocery shop, go to church, attend a faculty meeting, tend the grandchildren, enjoy a novel, cook for the family, clean the toilets, do a remodel of our basement, visit a friend … all with Jesus present to my thoughts? Can I lasso all the myriad thoughts a day brings and just direct them toward Jesus?

Consider, and strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Consider, and make every effort to live in peace. Consider, and anticipate with trembling the assembly of thousands and thousands of angels. Consider, and grade the papers, scrub the sink, and fill up the car with gas … fixing my eyes on Jesus.

Image by John Hain, Pixabay

Evangelical

Contemplative

History and Religion

Family, Parenting and Religion

Careers, Workplace and Religion

Previous Post

August 12, 2022

Coming to Jesus: Lessons from Ludolph

Next Post

October 29, 2022 A Pre-Advent Invitation: Sitting in the Darkness

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent Ascetical Theology Book Reviews Children and Parenting Easter Epiphany Friends of God Lent Life in the Spirit Ludolph Pascalian Spirituality: a series Politics Prayers Six Neo-Christian Myths Spiritual Formation Tales from My Father Trinitarian Spirituality: a series Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 July 2024 June 2024 December 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 January 2023 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 April 2022 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 November 2016 June 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 March 2015 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 October 2011 August 2011 July 2011 February 2011 October 2010 September 2010 July 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 November 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the Son of God?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Matthew Luke John Mark