AliPracticing the spiritual discipline of Sabbath-keeping requires courage to go against the raging current of our culture. It’s time to start renewing your mind by breaking the mold of cultural conformity.
BREAK FREE
Doing things God’s way means thinking the way God thinks, not the way culture thinks. You need His Spirit to renew your mind – to pop you out of the world’s mold and reshape your brain to fit what He values.
We live in a culture that doesn’t rest. Busy-ness is an addiction. In fact, it’s even something we brag about!
When you have children it’s an even greater pressure. Of course, you want them to have just as many opportunities as other kids, right? So the more activities, the better. But what is this really teaching them?
Does this frenzied lifestyle reflect the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God and honoring His design for our bodies to rest and worship?
UNHEALTHY VIEWS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND AMBITION
It’s easy to just go with the flow. Crazy busy-ness is often paired with such positive notions as productivity and ambition. But dismissing God’s intention for your body, and your connection with Him, sucks the life right out of you.
Productivity?
Perhaps temporarily, in this life, but even here your body can’t keep pace without health issues.
Ambition?
Working feverishly without rest may demonstrate a certain ambition – for things of this world. Trading times of solitude with your Maker for earthly accomplishment comes at a cost. To those who embrace this exchange, Jesus admonishes:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. … But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. … Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (that you need) will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:20 & 33 (NIV)
So how can you break free from this culture of busy-ness and rushing?
RENEWING YOUR MIND — CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
You must begin to think differently about your priorities. Ask your Father in heaven to show you the way He sees things. Ask God what His heart is toward your investment of the time He’s given you. He will help you make the changes and choices you need to make, to resist the pressures of this culture. This requires your desire for, and surrender to His will, above all else.
Take courage! Set your intention. Yield your heart to God in worship. Then He will renew your mind and direct your path.
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12: 1, 2
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As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments below. Let’s encourage each other to turn to the Lord regularly for transformation and mental renewal. — Ali 🙂
It’s Sunday and I did NOT ‘go with the flow’ today. Instead I went for a long walk, looked around, reflected on me/life/world, and felt relaxed and refreshed when I came home. And that’s how I ‘kept the Sabbath’ today. Worked for me, Ali. Thanks for your inspiring messages.
So good to hear, Han. ?
I totally agree that we live in a society (especially here in the US) that takes pride on the stamina and endurance involved to work so hard. In just recent years I have learned and reaped the value of doing less and resting more and investing in my spiritual growth and have come to find that God still is my provider and in addition the gain is all the wisdom that he gives me through my times of rest, and like the scripture that you shared mentioned it’s then that we can renew our minds ❤️
Such wisdom here. I’m delighted to read how God is revealing truth and creating freedom in your life. ❤️