Our family has been on the island for two months now.
Woohoo! We are learning our way around and making a home for ourselves. Because
we are still relatively new, I have enjoyed observing people around me. I see
patterns for how people act, speak, and respond in various situations. Patterns
exist wherever there are people and I have the unique opportunity to observe
from an objective perspective since I haven’t gotten into any habits or
schedules yet. I’ve mostly been observing. As I do so, I have a choice: will I
follow the pattern I observe or not? There are good patterns and there are bad
patterns. Which patterns will I eventually find myself following?
Last week I read Romans 12:2a, “Do not conform any longer to
the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I replaced
the word “world” with the name of our island. Do not conform any longer to the
pattern of Penang. As I meditated on this, I realized a tendency of mine. I
like to be different. If the pattern is THIS, then I want to do THAT; if
everyone is going HERE; then I want to go THERE. But even if I do the OPPOSITE
of a pattern, I am still being dictated by a pattern. The next part of that
verse says, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformed is
to be changed. Renewing carries the meaning of renovation. Who transforms us?
Christ! (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5,6)
So, as I begin to develop my pattern for living here in our new home, I want my
choices to be guided by Christ renovating my mind and not by patterns of
Penang. If I let Christ work in my mind, then I can confidently finish the
words of Romans 12:2 which says, “Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” If I base my choices
on Christ alone, then I am not governed in any way (whether good or bad) by the
patterns around me. I am simply governed by Christ.
What about you? Do
you see patterns around you? How do you decide which ones to follow? I’d love
to hear!
