One of the tallest trees in Berkeley has been identified for cutting down. This is due to safety concerns. As it is, there is a serious wood fungus at the center of the four trunks of the 140-foot eucalyptus tree. This fungus has weakened the structural integrity of the tree, presenting the very real possibility of failure. Obviously, this means that unless the tree is removed someone is bound to be hurt or a structure destroyed when it falls.
It still is intriguing how a seemingly small and significant thing such as a fungus can cause such destruction to a seemingly indestructible object as a gigantic tree. Yet it happens more often than we think. There are small things that can wreak great havoc when their invasion of places (where they do not belong) is ignored or dismissed as trivial.
Such is the case in the matter of a person’s “inner life” or worldview. What we allow into our heart and mind will ultimately affect who we are and what we do. Scripture is quite clear that what we truly believe in our heart and mind determines the character of our life and being. Proverbs 23.7 (NKJV, KJV, NASB; also TEV) is worth pondering: “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” And Jesus instructs us: “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart” (Luke 6:45 NIV).
The question is: Who or what is captivating our minds such that it forms our view of reality and drives our actions? What is it that we “store up” in our heart? The apostle Paul earnestly admonishes followers of Jesus: “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” (Romans 12:2 NIV).
The “pattern of this world” has a way of invading and eating away at the core of our being, like fungi in a tree trunk. We are constantly bombarded with what the world considers to be of value or importance, or claims to be “normal.” This comes through various channels: TV, books, magazines, movies, even human rules and secular education. This happens gradually that we are not even aware we are starting to accept and adopt the pattern of the world. This exposes us to the danger of falling.
For us who claim to take seriously our confession of Christ as Lord, it matters on what we build our worldview. Our minds must be surrendered to the Lord’s transforming work so that we will begin to see the world as he sees the world, to embrace God’s will and ways, and begin to act from that perspective.
—Keith Y. Jainga