Stop! Thief

I daydreamed through most of the service. Perhaps I was tired from the previous evening. Perhaps I was not interested in the topic. Perhaps I didn't agree with what was being said and was ignoring the presenter. The problem is this was happening a little too often. Then, in the midst of the seemingly endless speech, I heard something revolutionary. It presented itself as a piece of a puzzle that was missing for a very long time and was suddenly found in someone else's possession. It was now being presented like a piece of gold glittering in the dark spaces of my mind.

I got home and wouldn't you know it, the nugget that had just an hour or so earlier brought such delight to my soul was now nowhere to be found among my myriad of thoughts. Where had it gone. I did not consciously lose the puzzle piece that I had just received. Aha! But I did not write it down. A thief came and took it from me just that quickly.

I did remember in Habakkuk 2:2 where it says to write the vision, and make it plain. I did not write it down and it was stolen. I learned my lesson that day and now, after more than 40 years, I'm still writing what I hear. Thank God for electronic devices that allow me to file and categorize my notes for easy reference later. What is even more wonderful is the deeper revelation that I receive when reviewing them and how God builds, line upon line and precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10) to what has already been given. It is like building a bride that gets stronger with use each time I walk across it.

I love the slogan "A mind is a terrible thing to waste". This has been the slogan of the United Negro College Fund since 1972. If Satan stole my mind, what would I do? He did it to Nebuchadnezzar because he did not give praise, honor and glory to God. Begin reading at Daniel 4:30 to see how Nebuchadnezzar did not give God glory but rather took credit himself. Daniel 4:33 (MSG) It happened at once. Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of human company, ate grass like an ox, and was soaked in heaven's dew. His hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a hawk. After 7 years his mind came back and he blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Don't let the devil steal yours or anything that God has given you to put in it. Stop the thief.