It’s In Your Mind

I was told of a coach who wanted his players to bench press more weight than he had ever lifted. The player could not imagine being able to fight gravity with any more weights and possibly win. To coach took him aside and told him to close his eyes… and in his mind force himself to see him pushing up like an explosion—and lifting the weights far above the stands. Then when on the bench, he told him to do the same thing except to use his arms… and guess what… he did it! Then the coach took him aside again and said today you have lifted twice, once in your mind and the second time on the bench.

In my opinion, this story can kind of represent us at Center Road sometimes. What do you see in your mind about our future? Our ability to look to the future with a “yes we can” attitude has been challenged by a sluggish economy, departures from the congregation, and other things. I believe we need to spend some time imagining our congregation growing and serving more—and then get about helping it happen more. I believe there are two things we need to change in how we envision the church, or we may become downcast and lethargic about God’s word and his work.

One is that we need to appreciate what we have. I think our lack of exposure to other people in harder circumstances can help lead us to criticize what and who we have as brothers and sisters. On our mission trip to Nashville, we spent one day following around a most incredible brother named “Vince” and his side kick “Cory”. They traveled in their non-air conditioned van with us in our air conditioned van to some of the housing projects in Nashville that you don't see on the CMT awards. There our youth group handed out boxes of food — stuff like boxed mac and cheese and the like — to kids and adults who were glad to get it. We witnessed Christians working so hard to serve people in need with fewer resources than we have…

Put our trust in the right place… Americans tend to trust and value that which is convenient—and what seems reasonable to us. And there’s a place for all that. However, the reason you and I get to go to heaven is the most unreasonable thing we’ve ever heard of. God created us knowing it would cost the life of His Son to save us from our sins so that we could be with Him for ever. I really think we can opt to not focus on that and focus instead on what makes sense to us instead—which soon leads to all the woes of the world. We can get discouraged about the church if we fail to thank God for what we have and don’t trust the One who gives it all. Jesus dying for my sins is ridiculous! I have nothing to give in exchange. It is through His power and grace that we are here.

Close your eyes… imagine the things that Christ can do through the person sitting next to you today—the person in learning God’s word in class—serving those in need — giving all for Christ… and then.. Let’s do it… But be ready to be amazed!


8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:8-9)


37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:37-39)


33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:32-34)


3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)