Do NOT be SQUEEZED!

When I get my hair cut I sit in a chair and allow the barber (Carol) to do what she needs to do.  She does not want my active participation in the process. She wants me to sit still and to do only what she tells me to do turn your head, lift your chin.  She wants me to do what she is telling me to do.  She wants me to be a passive recipient of what she is doing rather than an active contributor to this event.  My dentist says the same thing - sit still and let me do my work.   Being passive is a good thing in a dentist chair - or - the barber chair.  However, being passive is NOT a good thing when it comes to our interaction with our world - our culture.

Romans 12:2 (HCS) Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

What does it mean to be conformed? Conform is defined as: to do what is accepted -OR- to be or become similar in form, nature, or character. When you conform to something it means that you accept what is happening and do not try to stop it or fight against it in anyway.

The word Paul uses here has a passive sense to it.  It is as if  the world it trying to shape us in a direction DIFFERENT than what God wants - and we allow it to happen.  It is being PASSIVE as apposed to being ACTIVE in our pursuit of God.  I love how JB Phillips translates this verse:

Romans 12:2 (JBP)   Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

So as a Christian - one who is seeking to grow in my walk with the Lord - what must I do so that the world DOES not conform me or SQUEEZE me into its own mold?  I must be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind.  HOW?  That takes God’s Word and the Holy Spirit working from the inside out - changing my heat, my mind, my motives, my attitudes.  If I want to change - if I do NOT want to be molded by the world - then I MUST be Transformed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  If I want to walk in a way that is worthy of Jesus and His sacrifice for me - I will NOT be passive - I will NOT let the world squeeze me into the shape it wants.  Instead I will pursue the Lord through His Word by His Spirit with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please keep on using Your Word in my life.  Holy Spirit please keep shaping me through Your leading and Your Word.  Lord, God do not let me become passive in my walk with You.  Please keep on drawing, and prompting me into a deeper walk with You.