Welcome to Wednesday. You’ve made it to mid-way! And we’re on the way in the Pastor’s Workshop to a wonderful Sunday worship.
This week, as we continue to ‘train ourselves in godliness’ in a ‘New Normal’, we are focused on ‘renewing our minds’. We’re lifting up three areas for attention: knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Our theme verses are Romans 12:2 (Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect) and Proverbs 2:6 (For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding). We’re bringing forward this challenge: “What would it mean to make one healthy choice for one positive change in any one of these three areas of attention?”
On Wednesday we put our texts into their contexts. We look at the world into which the original Scriptures spoke and the times in which we live to discover more fully the power of the Word.
As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome he knew they faced pressure to conform. There was a relentless undertow to be and become like everyone else. He knew how powerful cultural peer pressure could be. It was a formidable force, often in opposition to their growth in faith. So he challenges them – “Don’t be conformed to this world…” Think about things differently. Take an alternative perspective on life. Know there is a greater truth that can be a light for learning. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
The Teacher In Proverbs 2 says, “make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understand, seek it like silver.” He knows knowledge, wisdom, and understanding are important because, “(they) will save you from the way of evil, from those who speak perversely, from those whose paths are crooked and are devious in their ways.” He says there are those who, “walk in the ways of darkness” and so the light of truth is essential.
In our world we know the pressures to conform. We are familiar with influences that would impede our growth in faith. We know there are sometimes subtle yet significant forces that sideline our best efforts to make healthy choices and positive changes. We know how important it is to “focus on” what is good and “filter out” what is detrimental. Jot down what those influences and temptations are for you. What would a healthy choice be for you? What might that positive change mean for you? Again, write down your reflections.
As we move towards Sunday, it is this dynamic tension that provides the motivation for the message. How we choose not to conform but be transformed is critical. How you and I choose to use and renew our minds matters! That is our title for this ‘New Normal’ message: My Mind (Your Mind) Matters!
I look forward to exploring more fully tomorrow what that all means and how our Sunday message might look like.
In that grace, we’ll see you Thursday!
Prayer: Gracious God, we know there can be gaps in our knowledge, weaknesses in our wisdom, and shortcomings in our understandings. Yet in your grace, you shine your light of truth and love into our lives through your Word, that we might be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We give you thanks for that gift and for the ways that this week you would work that blessing. This we pray in the name of the Light of Life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.