Jamba Besta

Peter Martell, “The Women Who Clear Sudan’s Minefields,” BBC News, July 26, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8161199.stm (accessed December 31, 2009).

Jamba Besta had planned to be a secretary, hoping to find work in an office as her homeland of South Sudan emerged out a 22 year long civil war. Instead the pregnant mother headed an all-female team of de-miners, removing dangerous explosives from former battlefields. ‘I never thought I would be doing this, ‘says Ms. Besta.

What did you never think you would be doing? Working at a job you don’t like? Being single? Caring for a terminally ill loved one? Hauling a carload of children to activities more hours in the day than you can count? Being at odds with a friend? Feeling uncomfortable in your own church?

When asked about the danger of her work, ponder her reply: “What is dangerous is leaving mines hidden in the ground.” Like Jamba, we should realize that there is a greater danger in leaving land mines in our minds than in facing our thoughts and disarming them. Therein lies our motive.

While Jamba’s mine-clearing task takes place on physical battlefields, our equally important work must take place in the battlefield of the mind. Battles in our home, school, country, work place, or government are actually spiritual battles often related to our thoughts. Consider the following verses from the Bible:

·         “He [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s’” (Matt. 16:23).

·         “The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so” (Rom. 8:7).

In addition to the above, consider the following verses that emphasize the importance of clearing our minds of thoughts that are contrary to God’s and filling them instead with godliness.

·         “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).

·         “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

·         “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).

·         “Prepare your mind for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Pet. 1:13).

Which of the above scriptures speaks most directly to you about the importance of removing from your mind that which is contrary to God’s ways and thoughts?

It’s vital for us to clear from our minds all that is not of God so we can rebuild our lives in His image.

Father, I pray that you help me acknowledge any land mines in my thought life that can hurt others, me, and Your name.  Please help me to disarm them so that my life reflects You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Clear dangerous thought land mines from your mind today.

Copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan

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