Let your eyes look directly ahead, let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Proverbs 4:24 NASB
Early in my recovery I heard a guy in a meeting say, “You can’t prevent a pretty woman from coming into your line of sight but you can control the second look.”
At that time I was lazy in my thinking. Thoughts would fly in and out and I would follow some down a rabbit trail that was a disaster.
It has taken years to develop the habit of paying attention to where my head goes and, if needed, redirect my thoughts properly.
“Awareness” or “being on the alert” is an essential learned skill we learn chasing the Sage.
It is part “king” work in that the king sets boundaries and in this case it’s the boundary of what I will or not think about, look at, or fixate on.
It is part “warrior” work in that the warrior’s survival is being alert to the movement of the enemy.
The “holy man”, or priest, must remain focused on what is going on in the spiritual realm.
The “lover” must pay attention to where his head goes making love with his wife.
Awareness is the strongest tool for the Sage. For the moment we become aware we are acting out of self, or boy, or orphan — at that moment of awareness we are once again chasing the Sage.
For example, when I become aware I’m stuck or stalled or heading down the wrong street, that simple act of awareness is a sign of the Sage. Just like a dashboard light coming on in the car indicates something is in need of attention.
Sustained awareness has to do with stewarding our thoughts. Paul knew all about this. Writing to friends like you and me he says, don’t let your mind keep spinning on things that are out of your control and talk to God about what concerns you. Refocus your thoughts on what is true, pure, and lovely. Train your mind to dwell on these things. [1]
Just because we have a thought does not obligate us to continue thinking about it.
The truth is we can steward our thoughts; become aware of what we are thinking and redirect it to something else. For most of us we are lazy with our thoughts. Yet the truth is no problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking. [2]
Chasing the Sage we begin this journey of growing up into life stewardship of our inner self. Again Paul reminds us to pay attention to our thoughts and redirect them when they are hurtful, spinning in circles, or out of sorts with our beliefs.
Yes, the moment we recognize “stinking thinking” – that simple act or recognition is an act of the Sage. Yes, awareness may only be sustained for a moment or a minute. The truth is that with practice and patient endurance God will grow in us the ability to think and live more and more out of the truth we hold as followers of Jesus.
[1] Philippians 4:7-8 paraphrase
[2] Voltaire