Clear Head

Did you ever wish you had said something clever when challenged?

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. - Matt. 22:15-22

The Gospel writers have done a great job showing us how clever Jesus was.

Only once was his comeback not so quick.  That was when he drew in the dirt before the men gathered to stone the adulterous woman.

It must have been like that, though, or the Pharisees would have had an upper hand.

How often do we lack a good comeback, only to think later what we should have said?

What Jesus was able to do, that we may have trouble doing, is to have a clear mind.  He could think in the moment because he was probably not busy thinking ahead, wondering what to say.

I know I have tossed and turned for hours thinking about an upcoming talk I have to give.  Why?

Why not let the mind do its job while I sleep peacefully?

I am sure I am not alone in this mind rehearsal game.  I rehearse even simple things, like how I am going to ask someone a question or tell them what happened to me on the way home.

Chill!

Let go and Let God, as they say.

Jesus was good at it, as we can see and hear.

Be still and know, is how we should go about our day.  And if we do let God guide our thoughts, through His Spirit, we, too, can amaze.

More to come...