Be Transformed

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

I am a believer. I know when one thinks negative thoughts negative events seem to pop everywhere. When you think positive thoughts… well, negative events pop up then, too. In this verse, are we being reminded that this world – with its multiple problems – is here, right now, our unwanted reality check. Are we required to be burdened by that? Burdened, no; called to be responsible and responsive, yes. To be that servant citizen, believers are transformed by the promise that in all times and places God is present, which leads one to ask, "What can I, as a believer, do to make the world a better place?"

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Believe

Look to the Light 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Compassion and mercy sound good in theory, until someone you love disappoints you time and again, and you feel guilt and remorse because your parenting skills were woefully lacking. The adult son who struggles with addiction or anger issues seems flawed beyond redemption. The adult daughter, whose poor choices lead her into one abusive relationship after another, from which you cannot – despite your best effort – extricate her. Where does this behavior come from? You did the best job you could, and yet these disappointing examples of your bad parenting are like a shadow on your life.   

Perhaps that’s where the problem begins and ends. The lives of these people you love are based on their personal choices, made outside of your influence, and not necessarily because of it. Perhaps your focus on the shadow obscures the Light. That’s where compassion and mercy abide, in the Light. Compassion means to have sympathy and concern for someone and to show kindness toward them. Mercy extends forgiveness and understanding. Nowhere in there does either of these exact guilt. Nor do they require you to “fix” the other person. Nowhere does it say you need not have compassion and mercy for yourself. God is at work. Know it. Believe it. Live it. Grace abounds, not because of who we are, but because of who God is.