A kid in the 1980s would do just about anything for a free trip to McDonald’s. That includes memorizing Psalm 19, as many of us did in Mr. B’s fourth-grade Sunday school class. While McNuggets lost their appeal to me decades ago, I still remember, ​“The heavens declare the glory of God.”

A practice like Scripture memory is so simple and familiar that we may be tempted to trade it in for something more ​“grown-up.” And, like all good things, it can be misused. Some wield the sword of Scripture to inflict harm on those who need a healing word. Others, like the Pharisees, have a massive mental cache of Bible knowledge but miss the living Christ in their midst. 

But let’s not let that keep us from what Dallas Willard boldly calls ​“the simplest and most effective way of mind renewal in Christ.” 

Just yesterday on a long car ride the radio was off and my mind was wondering. I felt an unhealthy urge to turn on the news and find out more juicy details about unfolding political drama — not so I could pray or even just stay informed, but because I wanted another ​“hit” of distraction. So despite interior resistance I began slowly reciting aloud Colossians 3: ​“Set… your … mind … on things above” Gradually the peace of Christ began ruling my heart. 

So, Father, help us not be too grown up to do the basic things you’ve provided for our renewal.