Metamorphosis and Renewal

As I study this verse, three things pop out at me immediately. This is an active verse, meaning we need to do something with it. According to the NIV 84 Life Application Study Bible, beginning in this chapter, Paul has moved from the theological advice he had given earlier, and moved onto practical advice for the believers, (and us today).

• Do not CONFORM~ to give the same figure or appearance as (Vine's Expository Dictionary). Do not conform to what? According to this verse, we are not to give the same figure or appearance as the world. Look back at verse 1. Paul is telling us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God as our spiritual act of worship. According to the Life Application Bible, this is a daily laying aside of our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. I especially appreciated what was said on page 82 of Stressed-Less Living, where Tracie says, "The real peace comes when you make God the center of your life, instead of the last resort, and when you begin focusing on what God has called you to do, instead of what you have set out to do within the restrictions of your own agenda or skill set." The world tells us to seek refuge in other places, people and methods. God is calling us to peace. True and lasting peace. In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29-30, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Why, oh why, do we add to that burden? Why do we add to His method?
• Be TRANSFORMED~changed in form or external appearance; metamorphosed. (King James Dictionary). We all know what metamorphosis is from school, right? It conjures up the image of a butterfly, huh? A COMPLETE change from something icky and crawly, (sorry little caterpillar), into a beautiful butterfly. Get this image: a caterpillar stuck crawling on it's belly through dirt, dust, muck and grime. Chained by it's own limitations how far it can go because of the pace it crawls. CHANGED into a dazzling, beautiful butterfly. The once caterpillar can now spread it's wings and soar! It's free!! There are no limitations on it and it is a beautiful creature now. That is what the saving power of Jesus' death on the cross, then resurrection, did for us! It set us free! His Spirit lives within us to TRANSFORM us.

• RENEW your mind~ making new again, repairing, re-establishing. (King James Dictionary). Renewing our minds is active! It is a process of repairing our minds. Our old thought patterns need to go! Philippians 4:6-8 gives us the 'prescription' for this. DON'T be anxious, PRAY with THANKSGIVING, PRESENT your requests to God, and then Paul tells us to 'focus' on several things. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. He tells us to meditate on these things. Really contemplate them. If we do that, if we focus on these things, we will have no room for worry or negativity. We can rejoice and be thankful. We start to see things differently--all of the blessings God has given us along the way.

These last four years have brought many trials and issues in our lives, but Psalm 34:19 assures me that God delivers us. Renewing our minds; contemplating/meditating on the Word of God brings about a new change in us. Metamorphosis.

 Psalm 1:2-3 assures us that if we meditate on His Word, we will be like a tree planted by the water. We WILL NOT wither. We must remember that Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. 

Lord, may I renew my mind daily. May I put my hope in you alone. Quiet my restless spirit beside the still waters. Forever yours~

Jennifer Newsom

Proverbs 31 Ministries

OBS Teaching/Executive Team