Swing Thoughts by Guest Writer, Calvin James

For all of us who grew up playing baseball or softball, or have taken up golf, we’re familiar with the phrase “swing thoughts.” Whether hearing about it from a coach (in the batting cage) or reading about it in search of fixing our swing (likely in Golf magazine), we embrace the idea that thinking about our swing the right way helps produce the right results. We can often see it on display while watching a PGA golf tournament. After discussing the shot with his caddy and choosing the club, the golfer stands behind the ball to set his strategy. When watching closely, we can almost see the gears in his noggin turning…planning the shot…planning the approach. Then he stands over his ball and takes a practice swing or two with furrowed brow, intense stare, and the look. He's thinking, loose grip…drag the club...low, slow, and straight…keep the elbow in…and whatever you do, keep your head down. And when it all comes together, it feels awesome! The truth is, if we get our mind right, our body will follow. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Think first, then follow the thought. Our minds set the plan for what we do. We shift out of bad patterns and our bodies conform to the direction that our minds have laid out. Ultimately, we see that our swing thoughts actually have a huge impact on our game. Although it makes sense in golf and baseball, how do “swing thoughts” impact how we live? The Apostle Paul actually introduces this idea in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Swing thoughts! Stop doing what we shouldn’t (the patterns of the world – greed, worry, anxiety, fear, and anger) by changing our mind first. But is it really that simple to change the way we think in order to conquer the things that drag us down? Perhaps it's precisely that simple. And perhaps God gives us exactly what is needed for that transformation. His Word. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” In order to be transformed by God's Word, we need to use it to renew our minds. But like our baseball swing or golf swing, it takes practice. We need to practice our life swing! Battling fear? We can grab two or three of God’s promises related to fear and renew our mind with them. Read them, memorize them, think about them – allow God to use them to transform us. When anger is regularly at the edge of our minds, we can chew on a few verses God leads us to. We must let God do the work that only He can do through His Word applied to our lives. Ready to take our game (life) to a new level? Get those swing thoughts…do the work…and swing away! I'm Calvin James and you can unpack that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me renew my mind and show me changes that I need to make. I pray I rest in Your Word and rely on it to transform my thoughts and life. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.