A Renewed Mind
Daily Scripture
Romans 12:1-2
So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Every day we’re being shaped by something. Advertisements tell us what to want. Headlines tell us what to fear. Social media tells us what everyone else is doing. We’re often shaped without even realizing it. Little by little, the world’s values begin to feel normal.
Paul reminded believers that following Jesus means living differently. Instead of letting the world shape their values, priorities, and view of a good life, they were to invite God to renew their minds so they could see life from God’s perspective.
- What habit, message, or routine has been quietly shaping your mind lately? Is it drawing you closer to the life God desires for you, or pulling you in another direction
- Instead of asking, “What do I need to do differently this week?” ask, “How might God want to renew the way I think?” What is one area of your life where a renewed perspective could change the way you live?
Prayer
Gracious God, I confess how easily I am shaped by the voices around me instead of your voice. Renew my mind through your Spirit. Help me see myself, others, and the world through your mercy, so that my life is transformed from the inside out. Amen.
GPS Insights
Emily Stirewalt
In preparation for what we all knew was going to be an onslaught of busy calendars with demands on our time starting in August, my small group at Resurrection Lee’s Summit intentionally chose a book to read this summer. It is called “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. I recommend it to you if you are wanting to slow down and reprioritize your life a bit. It addresses the pervasive problem of hurry in modern life and its negative impact on spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. We have had such meaningful conversations about “grind culture” pressures in parenting and the workplace and the unique challenges to emotional and mental labor that we as women navigate.
This past week, we faced a series of questions the author asks in the third chapter. “Why exactly are we so busy these days? Anything you are running away from or running to? These questions yielded such a robust time together, sharing vulnerably with one another about why each one of us has our unique set of struggles when it comes to slowing down and prioritizing the people and relationships and values we all each hold dear. No matter what age we were, we all seemed to be struggling with something we distract ourselves with; away from spiritual disciplines, away from time with God and ultimately, we all expressed an exhaustion with the way it is right now. I, for one am looking forward to a new rhythm in the fall. But it will not be the PTO meetings or soccer games I put on the calendar first. Nor will it be the times I am preaching, teaching or leading in ministry.
My times with God are going on the calendar first. I hope you do this important scheduling as well. It is how we will be transformed.
