If you have heard me speak before, then you probably have heard me mention Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you will discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
The simple of this verse is: Keep your mind spiritually sharp so that your mind doesn’t conform to the “time.” We live in a culture consumed by conformity of time. We are notoriously unthoughtful and uncaring because we have so little time…or so we think. We live busy, busy lives. And, I am convinced we miss many opportunities to be used by God in simple ways (that impact others in big ways) because we aren’t living in the renew.
To live in the renew means to look and listen for moments when God wants to show you something, speak something into your heart, or alert you for moments of ministry opportunities that are all around you. This is why Paul challenges us in Romans 12:2 to continually renew our minds; to never remove our spiritual ear-buds so that we are always dialed-in to what God wants us to hear.
It’s amazing how when you begin to get serious with God about wanting to be used, and approach each day with this desire, how God will take you up on the offer. I started this week by praying this simple prayer. “God, show me someone I need to love this week.” I wrote this prayer on a stickie and placed it on my desk. I began the week wondering who (and if) God would show me that I need to engage. Well, I wonder no more. I had lunch Monday with a friend who needed a little encouragement about his business. Monday night I prayed over the phone with a friend and his wife, both of whom I barely know, about their health and job. Tuesday I spoke with a friend who is going through a divorce and just needed someone who would listen. And, this morning I spoke with an employee at Panera that sat down next to me and started sharing with me about her life. In each of these situations, I did not say or do anything supernatural. I was just there, available, listening, and loving. It has been amazing how my one prayer, “show me someone to love” has so impacted my life this week…and the lives of others. And, it’s just Wednesday!
All of this loving on others happened because I began my week giving God the invitation to renew my mind and show me moments of opportunities to be Jesus to my world. Will you consider doing the same?
Make it your ambition NOT to conform to the lie that you just don’t have enough time. Instead, pray asking God to renew you to His plan for the day. If you do, get ready! God doesn’t play around. If you ask, He will provide the moments, the people, and the exact time you need to love another.
