Redecorating.....Still

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.
Romans 12:2

Back in January, I shared that we hired a friend to help get our place looking a little better. (If you missed that post, click here.) Our dear Lucy has worked wonders. She showed us how to use what we already had to the best advantage, and she patiently taught us how to shop for the items that would look best in our little space. She gently pushed us to spend a little more than we planned, but, oh!, the end result is worth it.

For instance, our new Pier 1 closeout sale curtains not only make our living area look beautiful, but they have kept out the harsh summer sun - something our old curtain arrangement didn't do. When our DVD/CD dresser was falling apart, I never considered changing out the curtains. Now, I think this was one of the best investments we've ever made - otherwise we would have spent the majority of this summer in a mall or movie theatre just to get away from the glare and heat!

The redecorating isn't quite finished. We still have a few pictures to decide on and we're awaiting the arrival of our recovered "dumpster" chair; a great chair Lucy found near a dumpster on one of her travels.

However, unlike my home that will soon be "done," the interior redecorating of my mind will never be done. Our patient and loving God continues to reveal areas that need work. He uncovers thoughts that must be tweaked a little in order to line up with Scripture. He shows me thoughts that need to be thrown out completely. Sometimes He takes the time to tear a thought down to the bare bones so we can recover it completely with His Word - a little like our "dumpster" chair.

We are warned in Romans 12:2 to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world. That's because it is so easy to do! The world is all around us, pulling us to fulfill it's standard of success, or beauty, or happiness.

In order to withstand the powerful enticement of the world, we must constantly feed our mind with the Word of God. How do we practically do so? By reading the Word, meditating on it, memorizing and praying it. We must constantly look for ways to fill our minds with thoughts that glorify God. In fact, Colossians 3 says we should set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.

The world insidiously seeks to make its view, our view. This is becoming more and more evident in the Christian books I see for sale. Sadly, many churches are accepting - and teaching - that conforming to the world is a good thing. Jesus told us we are to be in the world, but not of the world (John 17:14-15). And, that starts with our mind.

How are your thoughts lining up with the Word of God? Do you get more information from People magazine or TV each day than you do from Scripture? Do you struggle with being content and grateful for what God has given you because you feel you should have more? Have you worked hard for the things the world says are important, only to find them dissatisfying in the end? (I'm speaking to myself, too, here!)

True satisfaction only comes from God. We must choose to make His thoughts, ours. Only then can we be assured of being in the center of His will"—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Heavenly Father,
Thank You, so very much, for giving us Your wonderful Word to direct us and transform us. Please help our forgetful minds to remember that Your transformation is better than anything the world has to offer. Enable us, and give us opportunities, to fill our minds with Your Word. Help us to never tire of hearing it and applying it to our lives, knowing that as we do, Your will is made known to us. Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen