Do not conform 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 (NIV)

Cut the Corners – The Change Your Mind Series – Part 3

Go to PART 1  |  PART 2  |  PART 3  |  PART 4  |  PART 5  |  PART 6  |  PART 7

Romans 12:2 is one of the most quoted scriptures of the New Testament. Lately, I’ve seen it used to judge people (of faith) for being too worldly… But I have to say, and I say it carefully and humbly, the ironic thing about this verse, that challenges us not to conform to the ways of the world, is that we often use it in conforming ways: judgment, hatred, aggression, fear… hurtling it at those who don’t live the same way as we do.

I get that that can be hard. We need to “judge,” right? Know right from wrong? And call out sin and evil and wolves in sheep clothing when we see them, to HELP others?

Within the wide and varied spectrum of faith, there are so many nuances, cultures, ideas and communities – we are never all going to look and sound the same, even believe the same, and be passionate about the same things. And that’s good, right? Don’t conform?

The problem is, you’re encouraged to go against the flow… until you do.

Until you don’t conform. (Oh, the irony! ha!)

Conformity is an issue for Paul. It is a non-thinking agent; the state of mind and being where we blindly follow the powers that be; where we don’t engage our hearts and brains; where we don’t challenge our paradigms and precepts; where we don’t ask why; where we don’t question the status quo. We just go along with what we’re told.

Every Sunday, a particular family would have roast ham for lunch. And every Sunday when the mother would prepare the roast, she would cut the corners off the ham before placing it in the tray. One day, while watching her mother, the daughter asked, “Why do you cut the corners off?” The mother replied, “Because your Grandmother always did…” The next time the daughter was speaking with her Grandmother, she asked why she would cut the corners off the roast. The grandmother told her, “I only had a small pan, and I had to cut the corners off to fit it in.”

How many of us “cut the corners” off of our proverbial roasts because we don’t think to ask why?

Questions are not a sign of rebellion. They are the hallmark of someone who is engaged and awake in the world. Someone who knows that there is more going on than what they currently realize, and they want in on the action. In a world where questions are taboo, and change is hard, transformation takes courage, determination, and strength.

In his book, “Wishful Thinking,” Frederick Buechner said:

“Don't start looking in the Bible for the answers it gives. Start by listening for the questions it asks.“

“Am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1).
“Who is my neighbor” (Luke 10:29).
“Where shall I go from your Spirit?” (Psalm 139:7).
“What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6).
“What is truth?” (John 18:38).

Paul wrote, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” (Rom 12:1 MSG).

It’s the practice of taking everything that pertains to your life and laying it down. Not in a ‘giving up’ way, but in a way that invites challenge and examination. Questions, vulnerable and honest, are a surrendering of our egos and an invitation for transformation.

Go to Part 4 – Invited Transformation »

Written by Lizzy Milani
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