Day 7: Renewing of my mind
I like to do things by myself. I like being solely responsible for success or failure. I don't trust others to do as well as I can, and that includes God. I have a lot of trouble sometimes trusting that God will be able to do with my life everything that I could by myself.
But I am learning to do better. This study is helping a lot with giving me a fresh perspective. I don't know how it works, but fully committing to something like Heartwork, where you are focusing on others and decidedly not on yourself, changes you. I've never experienced anything like it. It's not at all what I expected, where I'd get more compassion for those in need and be motivated to do more for them. Instead, so far I have been the one who benefits from the study. It is so hard to describe. The best way I can think of is with the verse Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will."
Paul is totally right. As soon as you set yourself apart from what the world would consider as normal behavior, God replaces your heart and mind with something radical, a heavenly perspective. Now it sounds too dramatic. It just feels like my eyes are opening. I can't wait to see what the next three weeks hold.
John 10:10 "A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and life to the full."
I had my mind blown during a teamwork exercise a few weeks ago. We were doing a high-ropes course, and it was one specifically designed for teams (the obstacles were too far apart to reach yourself). I had been trying to "use" my team mates to get through (as if they were part of the course, not trusting them), but in one moment I lost my balance and would have fallen if I hadn't been held up by my team. I learned that "teamwork" isn't just there so that I can help people with things they are struggling with (a tempting thought, especially in physical activities), but because we never know when our weakness will appear and when it does the team will support you as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good thought for sure. One thing that surprises me (being a perfectionist and all) is that we as Christians are always learning. I sometimes think I have it all figured out, then BAM! My mind is blown again :)
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