“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases” (Lam.3:21). “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above” (Col.3:1-2).
Dear Jesus, “calling to mind” and “setting our hearts”—these are two of the most daily, life-shaping disciplines of grace we can possibly practice. Why call them “disciplines of grace”? Because you are the meaning, measure, and means of God’s grace for us.
“Calling to mind” means we intentionally give ourselves to remembering, pondering, and marveling at you, Jesus. One Day we will fully marvel at you (2 Thess.1:10); we should increasingly do so as we live and love towards that Day. When we aren’t calling you to mind, Jesus, our thinking defaults to all kinds of stuff—some of it inane and harmless; some of it “Martha-like” distracting and fret-fueling; and some of it flat out destructive and anti-grace.
“Setting our hearts” means we stay tuned in to the ongoing battle for our heart’s preoccupation and passion. Jesus, you won the war for our hearts—in fact, you have given us a new heart. But until our new heart becomes a perfected heart, the battle for its attention, allegiance, and affection will continue.
Some of the “suitors” for my heart’s preoccupation include shame-carrying regrets from the past, the empty promises of man’s approval, and Ulysses-like moments of temptation for relief and pleasure. (Friends, who or what is currently battling for your heart?).
Jesus, you alone are worthy of our mind’s thinking and our heart’s worship. Continue to make yourself unavoidable, irresistible, incontestably precious to us. So Very Amen.