Beautiful People,

I love music. When Spotify came along, I stopped downloading songs from YouTube and LimeWire. Spotify had all the genres and artists I could ever want. It also had unique playlists such as "Liked Playlist" and "On Repeat." Each year, Spotify would create a "Your Top Songs (year)." In the past ten years, my top songs have stayed the same. I can guess which songs are included in my yearly recap. Why is that? I am a creature of habit. I like what I like, and nothing changes when I reinforce the Spotify algorithm with the same data.

 For us to experience change, something needs to shift. We need to start listening to a different song. Scripture provides a new song and a new playlist. If I could title the song, it would be "The Redemptive and Sanctifying Love of Christ." There are 66 playlists in Scripture that illustrate Christ's love and character. These playlists are posed to radically change our character and habits to reflect the character and nature of Christ. But how does this change occur? Is reading God's Word enough? There is a psychological and biblical answer to this question. The integration of both provides a holistic approach to transformative change. Self-directed neuroplasticity, the process of intentionally rewiring the brain to create positive habits, is a practical step in making this change. Neuroplasticity is a biblical principle. Romans 12:1 (NIV) states, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Furthermore, Paul continues his didactic on mindset in Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV), "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  

Rewiring our brains is an intentional process that necessitates new information or a new song. To the degree we continue to listen to the old song, the old self corrupted by its deceitful pleasures, to that degree will our spiritual life die. For us to change, the pattern of our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies must be tuned to Christ's song. Each day, we have an invitation from the Holy Spirit to intentionally listen to the new song of Christ's redemptive love. As we listen and integrate His new song through our thoughts, feelings, and habits, our souls experience a physiological and structural change – "forming new connections between neurons and creating new networks" in response to our divine encounter with Christ. Passivity can't bring the change we desire. We must be intentional and listen to a new song—the song of Christ's love. This sacrificial and sanctifying love empowers us to live a holy life that reflects the composer's heart—God. When we tune our hearts to the song of Heaven, we can test, approve, and know of God's goodwill towards us. But that's a topic for next week's GMU. 

Have a great day!