March 1
"And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

To conform to something is to mold to it. To take its shape, its characteristics, its attitude and style. I am being constantly enticed to adopt the ideals of this world. My call is not to conform to it.

The concept is pretty simple. The execution is not.

When I was a child, I grew up in a home that was all about separation from the world. Our church's founder stated "Anything that is popular is surely not holiness." We weren't in any way allowed to be like "the world", yet under the pristine surface, sin still called and attitudes were messed up. If separation was how not to conform, we would have been gold medal winners in being alone.

The call this month on my thinking is to examine what it means to be transformed in my mind rather than conformed by the world. My sacrificed heart will work on it.

March 2
Conformed means "formed along with" something. Transformed means "formed across to" something. We are called not to be formed along with a world that is degenerating, but to be formed across the span from earth to heaven.

Conformed to the world means habituating ourselves to the pattern of the world's decay, following the Fall from the Garden of Eden on its downward spiral to Hell.

Transformed by renewing our minds means reclaiming the relationship God once had with Adam and Eve, walking and talking with them in the joy of their days. Renewing - making as new again. Adam sinned once for all, so all sinned. Christ died once for all, so all might be made alive again - renewed in relationship with the Father of us all.

My goal is to find that place of transformational relationship where I will be able to approve God's acceptable, pleasing and perfect will. I know Adam and Eve enjoyed that place with God daily. May that be a place I long to find in transformation of a renewed mind.

March 3
If I want this idea of a transformed mind to be effective, I have to recognize my obligation to be willing to be transformed.

My mind has functioned as it is for years, becoming over time what it is. I am not sure it is as eager for this transformation as I am. It is familiar with its weirdness and processes.

I Peter calls us to suffer as Jesus did (in death) so we can die to our old way of life and be remade to a new way. Dying is not done without a struggle. We have a innate resistance to the whole concept.

Sometimes only when our inner pain is significant enough do we give in to death.

Being willing to be transformed is a similar struggle. I am afraid it is often only accomplished when the inner pain is so strong that it makes us willing to give in to change. God loves us so much that He allows pain to come to us in the areas He is wanting to have us open up to change. I can fight (and have fought in the past) those changes.

Now I am seeking to open up to change without a fight, recognizing the benefit of avoiding the struggle and resultant pain. God, help me be open to You and Your will for me.

March 4
So do I focus on how not to be conformed to this world or on how to be transformed by renewing my mind?

To be honest, it is much easier to focus on how bad this world is and how to stay away from it. That's the philosophy I grew up with and has shaped my thinking.

I am quick to notice what isn't working, what's dysfunctional, what's evil and wrong. I can point out the problem in a very short time with a practiced eye. That ability is useful at times, but a killer in relationships and long term growth.

There are those who come from an opposite world view who need a healthy dose of reality regarding the mess this world calls "normal". They are the ones who have no sensitivity to the tipping point our culture is nearing. As the world crumbles around them, they slide along until they are caught up in the tumbling avalanche of values.

But, obviously, that's not my problem. I need to focus on the positive transformation available to me. The recognition of Jesus' ability to renew my mind by His purposeful plan for action, not just avoidance. The call to be proactive in clothing myself with His attractiveness in reaching others for Him.

I need to be aware of doing instead of not doing, of living a witness instead of seeing where others fall short, of growing toward His example of mercy, testimony and goodness.

I must be transformed.