Conformed, Reformed, or Transformed? 1
February 2nd, 2007We are all on a journey. Like it or not, this journey involved our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. We reveal our place in the journey in at least three ways. We are either CONFORMED-REFORMED-OR-TRANSFORMED.
Paul alludes to these in Romans 12.1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.”
I see conformity to the world as the easy way out. Here we do not rock the boat. Everything just goes along as it always has. For the short-term, this becomes our comfort zone and path of least resistance. We do not do anything that we do not have to do.
Nearly everyone winds up in the conformity camp — at least for a while. Because we live in the world, we adapt and adjust to it or die. Years ago some pre-school children were asked how many of them were artists and could draw beautiful pictures. Nearly every hand in the room went up. A few years later the group was posed the same question. Fewer hands were raised. Still later, when the group was asked, hardly any of the group believed they were artists.
They eventually conformed to a world that puts little value on art (they were not in an Art pre-school or elementary school). In fact, the world is highly critical of artist-wannabees — just watch American Idol and see it from the singing perspective. It becomes easier to lose the imagination and conform than to retain it and fight on.
Conformity to the world is a form of “status quo.” Here we do not have to be challenged. We do not have to think. We do not have to grow. Today is the same as yesterday and tomorrow will be the same as today. We experience no real difference in our lives and our lives make no real differences.
Stay tuned for Part 2 — Hope is coming!
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene (perry.greene@southyukon.org)
