The Mind Matters

This is one of those verses I love to break down:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world."
Let's get real about the pattern(s) of this world. We are talking more than just obvious flagrant sin here. Indifference is another pattern. Keeping the status quo. Not standing up for something that is right because it's easier to not get involved. Idolizing people, things, and titles. An extreme focus on everything "self". Warming a seat at church on Sunday morning and carrying a Bible that never gets opened after getting mad at everyone on the drive because they weren't ready on time. The goal is to be like Jesus, not the world. This world is going to fall away one day before it's restored.

"But be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Transformation and renewing here is not as hard as you think. You don't need a self-help book or a weekend mind and body retreat for this one. You can't buy or plan or work hard towards a goal to achieve it. This kind of transformation has to come from God. It requires earnest surrender of everything to Him. He does His transformation work in your mind when you pray and read His word. The word renewing is a present participle. It is not past tense; it is not completed but is an ongoing process. Words are important in the Bible. God's words are alive and active. His words never die. There is great spiritual intention in His words. So, this renewing, is not a one and done. It's an inch-by-inch process that the Holy Spirit will lead you through like construction zones. A little gets repaved at a time. It's slow and it can be frustrating. Many people will exit and try to bypass the seemingly endless waiting. Stay the course though. Once the road opens, you will be so far ahead of those now stuck in a mess with all the others that tried to take a shortcut.

"Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is."
God does not give us a full script of His will for our lives. He is a good Father that knows we would choke like babies being fed too much in one bite. How do we test and approve His will? The same way He does His transformation work in us. Through prayer and reading His word, now with the help of the Holy Spirit as our guide giving us discernment.

"His good, pleasing, and perfect will."
The God of everything knows everything, you can be sure of that. Many times, we think we know what's best for us, what we need, what we want, and we are not wrong for asking for these things in prayer, as long as we follow it with "but Your will, not mine." This is important because God knows our past and future. He is a loving Father that wants to give us His best. Sometimes the things we ask for, even good and righteous things, are still not good for us (or good enough for us). In His good, pleasing, and perfect will, He will answer some of our prayers with a "no." When the answer is "no" though, be prepared and expectant of something even better that you can't even fathom.

Reflection:

Did breaking this verse down into segments reveal something new to you?

Do you have more insight than before about God's character?

Have you been impatient or frustrated when the answer to your prayers seems to be "no" or "not yet?"

Does knowing that God's will is always good and perfect allow you to wait with more patience and joyful hope?

Read. Reflect. Pray. Obey. Repeat.