Tabula Rasa

On January 1, 2024   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

1 Peter 1: 3

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life.

Tabula Rasa is Latin for blank slate. Empiricists like John Locke argued that the mind begins as a blank slate which experience then writes upon. I use this term to think of the spiritual, social, economic, education, familial and all other experiences which write upon our souls making our lives what they are today. In large part, we are living the life that our experiences, educational and otherwise, have developed into belief patterns. That is to say, it is not only our experiences which have molded our lives but what we believe about those experiences. Years of situations and our reactions to those situations have written upon our hearts. What you read affects your beliefs and what movies you watch. All these things write on the tablet of your heart for good and for ill. Here is the good news though, it is New Year’s Day – if you will allow me, it is Tabula Rasa Day.

Every January 1st we get a new lease on life. Many people embrace this idea wholeheartedly. I am one of those. Apparently, so was Peter. From this passage we learn that we have reason to have great confidence because we have a new life in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! If you have been following the Word of the Day for a while, you will know that I believe any day can be your Tabula Rasa day. If you feel you need a reset, then you can declare any day to be your personal January 1, your start over with a clean slate day!

Consider this from the Apostle Paul; 2 Corinthians 5: 17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” He understood that on any given day, we can boldly declare that old things have passed away and all things are new. That is the promise of the New Year. That is the promise of every single day in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as we celebrated his birth last week, today we celebrate the new life he gave us. We are born again. Our life is renewed in him.

I hope this gives you cause to celebrate because it is good news you can use. If there are any habits or beliefs which are not contributing to the life you want, erase them today. They are old and old things have passed away. Those things which are written on your heart that invite life and joy, renew those in Jesus’ name.

Now, do this with me – wipe the slate of your heart blank. See it white and clean. As you look upon it, see God writing on it. What does He write on your heart? He will restore and renew those old memories which are life affirming, those which build you up. Then He will write new messages on your heart. See His will, hear His words. Muster up all your courage to believe what He says. Return to your whiteboard daily and read what the Master has to say about you.

Today is a new day with a new life in Christ. I call you to celebrate your new life which begins anew today. Rejoice. Christ was born and came to give you new life. Glory to God on High for His majesty and grace. Praise Him all you His beloved for the new thing He wants to do in your life today. Praise to His name and may His light shine upon your face every day of 2024!

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Whiteboard

On March 1, 2016   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Ephesians 4: 22 – 24

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.

Dr. Jim Richards of Impact Ministries (www.impactministries.com) has a break-through program called Heart Physics. It is a powerful tool for moving forward in life, breaking through those things which have held you down and just generally improving the quality of life. One of the strategies that Dr. Richards teaches is to put off the stuff which is binding you and to put on the freedom which Jesus purchased for you. 

As Dr. Richards leads us through the put off and put on I often imagine myself wearing a robe like would have been worn in Jesus’ time. I see myself taking off my old robe and putting on a brand new one. You can get creative with your mind picture. Perhaps you see your old robe as beige to brown; maybe you notice the signs of wear, dirt and even some stains. As you begin to don your new robe, the one Jesus went and bought for you, you might see him taking it out of a box and holding it up for review. It is pristine white and even shines. Watch as he holds it for you to slip into. Together you wrap your body in that beautiful robe which almost looks as though it is made from white, white light.

We can change our old garment for a new one. We can exchange old images and beliefs for new ones. Heart Physics is a methodology whereby we can actually write truth on our own hearts. Most of us have been fed lies at some time or have believed something untrue about ourselves. In fact, much of what we once believed about ourselves has been eradicated by Jesus’ ministry. Therefore, one of the most powerful aspects of Heart Physics is that you can go onto your own heart’s website and erase what is there and rewrite the story. Here is a visualization I use for that process. 

Tabula Rasa is a Latin term which goes back to a Roman tablet which could be used for writing, erased and written upon again. You will see that it is understandable that Tabula Rasa is rendered “blank slate” in English. It is a philosophical term which has strong implications in Western Society but we can also use it as a spiritual device. I imagine my heart as a large whiteboard; perhaps it is 4’ X 6′. This is my tabula rasa. I watch myself approach the whiteboard which is covered with writing in many different colors. Then I watch as I pick up the eraser and erase everything that is there. I am left with a completely white board, a completely clean writing surface upon which I can inscribe whatever I want.

What would you write on the tablet of your heart if you had the chance? Would you draw a picture, write your name in different colors, or even post pictures of yourself as you choose to see you? Well, it is your board, do as you wish. Here are a few thoughts though. Get into your heart zone first. If you don’t know how to do this go to Impact Ministries’ website and discover Heart Physics. When you do see yourself standing before a completely white board, write truth. Write upon that board, which is your heart, what Jesus says about you. See yourself through the Father’s eyes and post that picture. Then under that picture write: redeemed, beloved, saved, restored, glorified, justified, cleansed, healed, renewed, full of grace, and so on. Go back every day and look at the truth about you. Keep adding to your board. Put up a second board if you need more writing room. Tape up a picture of Jesus and you together. Add fabric, color, whatever you want. Maybe you can see Jesus writing on it. Make it real, make it yours. Anytime anyone’s opinion or image of you, other than Jesus’, appears on your board, erase it. Oh how fun that may be. Have fun. Be creative. You are your own tabula rasa and you own all the crayons. Write your story!

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