Change the way you think and Discover God's Will for Your life
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)
Being a very practical mom, having a child who learns through pictures, patterns, and music was a complex experience at the beginning of our homeschool journey. Over time, I realised that I had to change my thoughts about how to teach her so she could understand.
One day during our devotional, we focused on the commonly recited scripture Romans 12:2. My 10-year-old gave me many eye-openers as we started analysing some keywords in the passage.
First, I asked her what conform meant. She replied with a question of her own: "Is it when I take the clay and smash it into a bundle, then shape it into a little cat, and I say, so it's no longer just clay?" Her response took me aback, and I wasn't sure how to answer, but I wanted to see where the conversation would lead.
I asked her, 'If the Bible says that we should not conform to the patterns of this world, what exactly does that mean?" Seeing her puzzled expression, I realised I needed to find a way to clarify my question. So, I asked her to define the term "pattern." Her face immediately brightened up as patterns were something she understood. She looked around and said, "I see shapes, squares, and rectangles (our windows). She closed her eyes and said, I see a pattern of green and grey.
I realised that she was walking in her mind, searching for patterns. I asked her where she was going, and she replied, "To the shop." I inquired about what she could see, and she responded, "I can see cars and people." I then asked, "What are the people doing?"
“They rush,” she answered.
“Rush to where?” I asked
“They rush to get food, go back to work, or get money. They do not have time, and some need money. If they have money, they do not have time. I think this is a pattern of the world!” she said.
I had to take a moment to reflect on the profoundness of my daughter’s observation. We often get caught up in the demands of the world and its societal norms without realising how much we conform to them. The only way to break free from this is to stop and allow God to transform us.
In the new Living translation it is underlined how change comes from our thoughts. The text says: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Often, we don't realise that we need to change until someone points out that we seem to be constantly busy, tired, angry, or negative. This should serve as signs for us and reminders that we need to take action
Let us end with the same scripture the way it is paraphrased in “The Message”:
“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you and develops well-formed maturity in you.
Challenge
Take some time to reflect on your thoughts this week. Write them down and test them one the word of God. Ask yourself if they are pure, peaceful and wholesome. If not, pray that God will help you to renew the way you think.
Pray
Dear God, I ask for your help not to conform to the way our society thinks and embrace the transformation of mind that you want me to undergo. Help me to seek purity, excellence, and peace in my thoughts, anchoring myself in your word.
By Elizabeth Strauss