A Thought Provoking Conversation

I had a phone conversation tonight that has left me thinking. The other person shared a thought that surely a third dimension to ourselves exists that, perhaps, we don't think about. I think it's true that we often think of ourselves as having a physical body as well as a mind to go along with it. We're missing something, though. During the conversation, the familiar phrase, "mind over matter" was said to be true but not complete. If it is true that we can control what our bodies do by an act of our mental will, then shouldn't it follow that we can control our mind by some other dimension of our make up? Perhaps, it was said, we might think of this as our conscience. Whatever we might call it, isn't it important to acknowledge it? It surely isn't any less important to control what our minds do than to control what our bodies do. When I think about it, I have observed in myself and others, the omission of this third dimension. This really does create quite a problem because if my mind can control my body (which will manifest outwardly and potentially touch other people) then there must be a a control panel for the mind. The mind, alone, is utterly incapable of sticking with the truth about what the body tells it it wants. There must be that third dimension that is guided by an objective Standard, that moors us to the truth about what our bodies should do. Further, isn't that often missed component where we find such noble things as courage and selflessness. We all laud these things, but do we exercise control over our will that we might choose to be defrauded, or to allow emotional or physical hurt for the good of another, or the noblest of all, to lay down our life that another might live - even our enemy? Most important of all, don't you think that is precisely what caused Jesus to have victory over every temptation (the same ones we face) and thus be qualified to become our Sacrifice?

Maybe we don't use that control over our minds because we fear what might be the consequence. We lack the long term thinking that is required to bring the mind to integrity so that it can rightly and bravely direct "matter" rather than try at all cost to preserve self. Jesus possessed that ability to look ahead, beyond the now, beyond the fear, beyond the suffering, to the greater and nobler good. He trusted the Father. Do I? Do I believe that God really parted the sea, rained food from the skies, and annihilated 180,000 enemy soldiers overnight with one angel? If so, then I must be trained by that knowledge to act decisively as I conquer not only "matter" but "mind" as well.

"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1b - 3

"Oh Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? (Don't you want to know who? Don't I? God is generous and gives the description of the man who can live with Him): "He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; he swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken." Psalm 15