Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
“La Ville Lumière” is one of my favorite places to visit. Paris was nicknamed the City of Light because it was one of the first European cities to adopt gas street lighting back in the day and also because of its role in the Age of Enlightenment. Known for being the hub of art, fashion, and cuisine, Paris has so much to offer. One fun fact is that the Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world. Not surprising since it houses many treasures including the famous Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory.
On a recent sunny autumn day, I took the Métro to a less-visited museum to see another famous sculpture. The cloudless sky was a beautiful blue and a faint breeze greeted me as I ambled down rue de Varenne. Musée Rodin and its lovely gardens is home to many of Auguste Rodin’s works, including “The Thinker”.
Outside in the garden and surrounded by a ring of hedges, the Thinker is a full-size bronze sculpture set on a huge stone pedestal. Originally named “The Poet”, Rodin’s “Thinker” appears lost in deep thought as he sits perched above. His lifelike muscular body looks powerful enough to spring into action at any moment.
As I stood below gazing up into this expressive bronze face, I wondered how often I sit and reflect. In a particularly busy season of life, I know I didn’t hit the “pause” button often enough. Although I’m more likely to do so now, stopping to reflect and think is crucial. If we find we are “waking up in the middle of a story”, not really knowing how we got where we are in life, then perhaps hitting “pause” can reset our course, re-shift our priorities, and help us live more purposefully. If we think we are too busy to slow down once in a while, we’re too busy!
Romans 12:2 says we are to not be conformed to the world’s patterns but to be transformed by renewing our minds. The world may tell us to wear our busyness as a badge of honor, but what’s the point if we never slow down long enough to ponder whether what we are busy doing is a worthwhile pursuit? Or whether it’s even what God would want us to do? Perhaps we are involved in many good activities but just too many. I’ve been caught in the trap of busyness too often. Pausing and reflecting keeps me grounded. Incorporating Scripture verses and prayer into that thinking time enables me to hear God’s truth and apply it to my life.
Taking time out from busy schedules to think, reflect, and pray helps us refocus on what’s important, to redirect our efforts if needed, and to simply slow down so we can journey through life in a more mindful and intentional way. By stopping to think about what God would have us do keeps us focused on His will for us. Even Jesus slipped away for some quiet time and prayer so He could reconnect with His heavenly Father. If He needed to, then surely we do!
While the Thinker’s pensive stance is a great work of art, we’d do well to take a cue from this famous sculpture and strike a similar pose. Pause, reflect, and pray. Living unrushed and intentional as we renew our minds and focus on God’s will for us reaps huge rewards here and for all eternity.
Lord, sometimes I am simply too busy to pause, reflect, and pray. Help me slow down to focus on You and what You want me to do, not what my to-do list dictates that I do. Transform me into who You want me to be by renewing my mind so that I can then live out Your will in my life, Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Text and photo copyright © 2017 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of “The Thinker” from Musée Rodin, Paris.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
“La Ville Lumière” is one of my favorite places to visit. Paris was nicknamed the City of Light because it was one of the first European cities to adopt gas street lighting back in the day and also because of its role in the Age of Enlightenment. Known for being the hub of art, fashion, and cuisine, Paris has so much to offer. One fun fact is that the Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world. Not surprising since it houses many treasures including the famous Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory.
On a recent sunny autumn day, I took the Métro to a less-visited museum to see another famous sculpture. The cloudless sky was a beautiful blue and a faint breeze greeted me as I ambled down rue de Varenne. Musée Rodin and its lovely gardens is home to many of Auguste Rodin’s works, including “The Thinker”.
Outside in the garden and surrounded by a ring of hedges, the Thinker is a full-size bronze sculpture set on a huge stone pedestal. Originally named “The Poet”, Rodin’s “Thinker” appears lost in deep thought as he sits perched above. His lifelike muscular body looks powerful enough to spring into action at any moment.
As I stood below gazing up into this expressive bronze face, I wondered how often I sit and reflect. In a particularly busy season of life, I know I didn’t hit the “pause” button often enough. Although I’m more likely to do so now, stopping to reflect and think is crucial. If we find we are “waking up in the middle of a story”, not really knowing how we got where we are in life, then perhaps hitting “pause” can reset our course, re-shift our priorities, and help us live more purposefully. If we think we are too busy to slow down once in a while, we’re too busy!
Romans 12:2 says we are to not be conformed to the world’s patterns but to be transformed by renewing our minds. The world may tell us to wear our busyness as a badge of honor, but what’s the point if we never slow down long enough to ponder whether what we are busy doing is a worthwhile pursuit? Or whether it’s even what God would want us to do? Perhaps we are involved in many good activities but just too many. I’ve been caught in the trap of busyness too often. Pausing and reflecting keeps me grounded. Incorporating Scripture verses and prayer into that thinking time enables me to hear God’s truth and apply it to my life.
Taking time out from busy schedules to think, reflect, and pray helps us refocus on what’s important, to redirect our efforts if needed, and to simply slow down so we can journey through life in a more mindful and intentional way. By stopping to think about what God would have us do keeps us focused on His will for us. Even Jesus slipped away for some quiet time and prayer so He could reconnect with His heavenly Father. If He needed to, then surely we do!
While the Thinker’s pensive stance is a great work of art, we’d do well to take a cue from this famous sculpture and strike a similar pose. Pause, reflect, and pray. Living unrushed and intentional as we renew our minds and focus on God’s will for us reaps huge rewards here and for all eternity.
Lord, sometimes I am simply too busy to pause, reflect, and pray. Help me slow down to focus on You and what You want me to do, not what my to-do list dictates that I do. Transform me into who You want me to be by renewing my mind so that I can then live out Your will in my life, Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photo copyright © 2017 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of “The Thinker” from Musée Rodin, Paris.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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