Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
Romans 12:1-2, The Passion Translation
As we finish out the week and our meditation on Romans 12:1-2, we are lead once again to the purpose of our responding wholeheartedly to the grace and mercy of God... to know Him. Paul makes this plain as he tells us that our transformation through the renewed mind will let us see clearly what God's plans are for us. We will "discern" His will.
All too often, we can feel like God's will is a mystery to us. We want to know how He wants to use us, if we are in the right place, etc. When we are feeling like this, there are a few things we can do according to these verses.
First, we can return to Him and surrender our preconceived ideas of what His will may be for us. Second, we can make sure we are living in holiness and have confessed any area where the Holy Spirit convicts us. Third, we can simply ask to know His will. As James reminds us, "if we lack wisdom, He is ready to give it to us (James 1:5)."
Father God's will may be a mystery at times, but He is the one who will reveal and direct your heart in His timing. While we are living the "beautiful life," there are so many things that we already know are God's will for us to do. We can love, serve, care, and give. These actions honor Jesus in any season.
God's plans for us are rich. He wants to shape us into the image of His beloved Son through surrender, circumstances, and faith. Don't be afraid of the mystery, it is a part of His discipleship.
Here are our action plans today:
Spend time thinking about reasons to be grateful today. Write them down in your journal.
Be at peace where you are. Remember, that the Holy Spirit is doing the work that brings us to and leads us in the beautiful life. Cease striving and rest in Him.
Prepare for the Sabbath, a day to disconnect and be with God and family. Break your regular patterns and see if the Lord won't surprise you and renew you in a unique way.
Have a great day!
Love, Pastor Stuart