Jesus said the Number One commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and will all your mind.” We sing songs about heart and soul. Mind doesn’t come up nearly as much. 

Daniel 1:17 says, “God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom.” 

The Bible Recap reading plan I am using this year begins each day with prayer guidance before taking up the assigned reading. The first instruction is to ask for God’s knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. If God stretched our minds day by day, what would be different? How would our lives improve at work and at home?

Loving God with all our minds empowers us to join God in building a better world. We see this again and again in this Bible book. 

In Daniel 2:14, “Daniel responded with tact and discretion . . . .” In other words, Daniel did not sound like pugnacious Twitter and Facebook preachers. That sounds wise.

In Daniel 2:30 Daniel says, “As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.” Daniel was well aware of where his insights came from and credited God with words that served the king and saved many lives. 

What is your personal growth plan? What will you read? What podcasts will you listen to? Whose thoughts will you ponder after them?

Today we will feed our bodies. Today we will experience deep emotions. Today, let us expand our minds under God’s direction. Let us learn. Let us grow in knowledge, wisdom, insight, and understanding. Let us seek God’s truth. Let us love God with all our minds.

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