Any ship can be a minesweeper … once. —Admiral Hornblower
In a hostile world, few things are as dangerous or as terrifying as an explosive mine. Land mines are buried in seemingly harmless areas, killing and maiming decades after being planted. Our seas are full of them. One mine can take down a huge ship. Almost as devastating, the fear of mines can deprive a ship of freedom of movement, paralyzing it in fear of inevitable explosion.
A plume of water, a shuddering throughout the skeleton of the vessel, a chaotic descent into the depths… Yes, one mine floating beneath the surface can sink a ship—and one false belief lurking beneath your thoughts can sink your whole life.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Without even knowing it, many of us are sailing through dangerous waters. Strongholds, arguments, and pretensions have been planted in our path. These are the beliefs behind our beliefs, the assumptions behind our assumptions. And in many cases, they are built on lies from the enemy, intent on blowing us to bits.
As part of its anti-mine warfare, the United States Navy flies the largest helicopter in the free world, the MH53. (MH stands for Minesweeping Helicopter). With three engines of over 5000 horsepower each, it can lift a railroad car. But its mission is to fly above dangerous waters, pulling an extensive apparatus that identifies and explodes mines.
Just as the Navy uses minesweepers, the Christian today needs a MINDsweeper. Do you know what dangers lurk deep in your mind? Do you know how to get rid of them?
Lord, I ask that You would search my heart and show me my ways. Sweep my mind, Lord. Expose the lies and expectations that lie beneath the surface of my thoughts and actions so that I might live freely and boldly in Your Truth. Amen.