Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
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.
For Reflection:
This passage invites us to reflect on the patterns in our lives. Are patterns of thinking, speaking, and interacting evident as we go about our days? As I sip on my third cup of coffee working away at my computer, I realize the steps from the coffee maker to chair and back are shockingly few. How am I stewarding this body I offer to you? Someone speaks and I hurriedly respond; I realize I am frustrated by the innocent interruption by someone I love--annoyance reflected in my words and tone. Paul reminds us we do not have to conform to the world's patterns of interacting with one another - those we see all around us, on our feeds, the shows or movies we stream, even in our families. He says we can be transformed by the renewal of our minds. Can God really renew our minds? Neuroscience tells us new pathways are continuously being formed in our minds: Will we respond to His mercy and love by allowing Him to transform our thinking and responding to others in ways that reflect His love and grace more and more. He sanctifies us day by day as we draw near in response to His invitation to abide, as we refocus our attention on Him, His word and truth, and let Him transform us day by day.
Let us pray:
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for loving us more than we can possibly comprehend. Lord, in light of your mercy, would you help us see the patterns in our lives, those that work against us? And those that draw us near to you and others. Lord, help us to be present with you, to offer ourselves and participate with you as you renew our thought processes and patterns of responding. Would you give us self control to resist our old ways and lean into you as you form us into Your image. Would you help us recognize your mercy? May we grow to understand and live into your perfect will. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
As we abide together, I wonder what your mercy looks like today?
I wonder what new patterns of thinking and responding you are forming in me?