Renew My Head
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
Dr. Seuss
Last night, I had the privilege and blessing of watching the live stream concert for the Grove City College Touring Choir. My son, Isaac, is a member of the choir, and watching from our home was a blessing knowing COVID-19 and the distance between our home and the college make it a challenge to make it to every one of Isaac’s performances. The concert was truly beautiful.
At the end of the concert, the choir director announced the last song, John Rutter’s God Be In My Head. Apparently, this is the song the choir uses to close out all of their performances. I was struck by the words penned by Sir Henry Walford Davies:
God be in my head,
All Saints Kingston
And in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;
God be at mine end,
And at my departing.
God has been working on my head lately. I’ve been studying Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel with a group of guys I meet with every week. I’ve also been doing some personal reflection related to my thought life and my work.
The words of this song, a benediction, hit me right where I am and where I want to be.
I want God to be in my head, my eyes, my mouth, and in my heart. I want the desires of my heart to align with the plans God has for me. I want my thoughts and my words to be honoring. I don’t want to be complacent in allowing the world or my sinful nature to negatively influence by thought life.
In this year of renew, it is my prayer that my thoughts (my head) would be renewed every day, and I pray that for you as well.
May God be in your head and in your understanding.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)