January 17, 2024 Renewal of My Mind
Friday, January 17, 2025
Read: Psalm 25:4 Renewal of my Mind
Show me how you work, God;
School me in your ways.
Psalm 25:4, Message
In the midst of a discussion, a friend commented, “At this age, I find myself thinking differently about issues than I used to.”
I do, too. Certainly, differently than I did in my 20’s or 30’s. How did that happen? I was so sure I had perfectly figured out life by college graduation. However, my studies for a master’s degree, more experiences in the world, and new discoveries all worked to begin muddying some of my certainties. I had more questions not easily answered, and my thinking about truths in life shifted.
The seismic shift in my world view took place after an Emmaus spiritual retreat. That’s where I discovered and surrendered to the reality and power of the Holy Spirit, Christ in me. That’s when I began to open my heart and mind to the Apostle Paul’s message in Romans 12:1-2:
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it…(The Message)
I still don’t have it all figured out and never will, regardless of how many books I read, facts I know, or experiences I undertake. I have more questions than answers. But I am aware that the Holy Spirit works in me to renew and challenge my thinking, affections, and behavior every day. I focus on being schooled in God’s ways by:
- studying His Word,
- staying alert to what the voice of His Spirit within me says that His Word means, and
- surrendering to how He is calling me to think and act differently in relation to others, social issues of the day, and world events.
Reflect: How can you each day let God renew your mind and school your thinking in how He works? If you really surrender to His message, how is it calling you to think or act differently?
Pray: Father and Sovereign Lord of lords, thank You for Your Holy Spirit to challenge, counsel, and guide me into Your Truth. Today, show me more of how You work. School me Your ways. And enable and embolden me to walk in them. In the name and power of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader