I did some research this morning on a few topics of interest. After about 30 minutes of reading, I felt overwhelmed. Not only was each person's website full of information, but I had 10 options for receiving their newsletter and 10 options for taking their course and 10 more options about how to choose the best option. When Jesus was asked what the most important command was, he did not answer, "Love God with your only your heart". He answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

We are to love God with our minds too. That means that we must care for our minds, control our trains-of-thoughts, reign in the rabbit-trails and manage the information gathering and processing. This doesn't mean that creativity must be shut down. Absolutely not. I live in a home that flourishes with artists and musicians and writers and designers. Creativity is a God-given gift to be enjoyed and developed. But left unchecked, creativity can cloud the mind and make it difficult to hear God's voice and receive His love and guidance for our lives.

So if 30 minutes of research felt overwhelming and my brain already is full, how can I love God with my mind for the rest of the day?

Over the next few months, I will be writing with a few ideas about how to keep our minds steady and calm despite the information coming at us or the creativity bursting out of us.