Renew your mind
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
Have you ever been so busy you’ve overlooked something extremely obvious?
Some examples of what I am talking about:
- It could have been as simple as telling your loved one goodbye because you were so eager to get out the door.
- Maybe you got to work and someone says, “WOW, that sunrise was amazing” and you didn’t even notice it.
- Or it could be as easy as judging someone before you really know what is going on in their life. What is the old saying: “judging a book by its cover”.
Here is a great saying:
A closed mind stumbles over the blessings of life without [even] recognizing them.
"To the untrained eye, a geode looks pretty much like an ordinary rock. But a trained geologist knows that inside the geode there is a beautiful crystal lining. The story is the same for those who refuse to examine new possibilities because their minds are closed. Life’s greatest opportunities, like the geode, often come in ordinary packaging. Do not allow yourself to become such a creature of habit that you simply go through the motions and let life happen to you. Just taking a new route to work, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, reading a newspaper instead of watching television, or visiting a museum at lunchtime will stimulate your thought processes and may help you open your mind to new possibilities.” - Napoleon Hill
In my own life, the Bible speaks directly to this in Romans 12:2 and it talks about not being conformed to the normal ways of the world ... but to be transformed through the renewing of your mind. I just love the idea of looking at things in a different way, a different perspective … a renewed way.
So try another route, listen to something new, or just get to know someone a little better. It will likely change your whole perception and understand their perspective.
Renew your mind!
Think and pray
What is something that you could do this week that would be outside of your normal routine to transform and renew your mind?
Heavenly Father, help me this week to slow down and notice the obvious ways around me that You are working in me, challenging me, and growing me. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Jay Emory is the President of BancFirst Yukon/Mustang. He has been a financial professional for over 30 years. His stated purpose is to connect with men and women and impact their faith and financial lives through encouragement and connection. He also leads a CBMC Connect3 group at his office in Yukon every Wednesday morning.