As I sat in the midst of the Captivating Retreat in Nashville, I had the honor of attending with my fellow sisters of the Daily Audio Bible community. Romans 12:2 was written on my heart.
“Do not conform any longer 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.”
Jill Hardin, lead speaker at the event gave a very profound statement: “We either conform or we transform.”
If not careful I can find myself quickly playing the game of the world. It’s so easy to be consumed in a single breath to the desires of my flesh. Before I know it I’m begging God for the oxygen mask. I am desperate for fresh air as I stand in the smog of the world. And just as He promises, God shows up with the oxygen and the fresh breath of His Word to pull me out of the pit. Sometimes it’s hard for me to figure out why He loves me so much.
But I also find that it’s those times of deep desperation that the transformation comes. Sometimes we just have to walk through the smog of the world before the inward changes happen. God happens to be patient enough to allow it.
Here are three questions to consider when deciding to conform or transform:
- What kind of person do you want to be?
- What is getting in the way?
- Are you a person running to other lovers? (food, alcohol, work, relationships, etc.)