This morning, I am reflecting on the verse:
Romans 12:2
"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 love this verse. I've always took it to mean that we would be transformed (changed) by learning about God and his word. I think I must have gotten that I idea from the next line, "...you may DISCERN..." and although I am certain that learning about God is exactly what he wants us to do, I'm not certain, this morning, that this verse specifically refers to learning. Today I noticed the word, "renew."
I looked it up, and I think that this definition is what it means...
"give fresh life or strength to.
'she would face the future with renewed determination'
synonyms: revive, regenerate, revitalize, reinvigorate, re-energize, restore, resuscitate, breathe new life into, rekindle
'something to renew her interest in life"'
In my life of go, go, go, my sacrifice is not work. Work is easy. Work is what I do naturally. So what is the "sacrifice" that verse 1 is referring to? Possibly, it's that we sacrifice WORK itself. In our century we have classified "sabbath rest" as an old testament law, that doesn't apply to us anymore than animal sacrifice. It seems antiquated, at best. But in studying scripture, I'm learning more and more (but with still so much to more to learn) what the idea of "fulfilling the law" might mean.
So what does this new testament scripture have to do with the Law of Moses? I think this idea of renewal, is the same idea of God's commandment of Sabbath rest. I'm learning, and hope to continue to learn, how God INTENDED for us to be at peace And that with stopping long enough to RENEW our minds, HE can give us the wisdom we need to discern His will and what is good in his sight.
Sacrifice is what I have to give up by stopping work for a moment. What will I not accomplish on a Sunday, or an hour a day, given to rest and worship?
The answer to that question, I have found in Leviticus 25.
6 “The land will have a year of rest, but you will still have enough food. There will be enough food for your men and women servants. There will be food for your hired workers and for the foreigners living in your country. 7 And there will be enough food for your cattle and other animals to eat."
God not only commanded a weekly sabbath but also a yearly sabbath. Every 7 years, his people were commanded to STOP working for the WHOLE year. What a great God to build in this rest for his people. And I believe that they thought then, what I am thinking now. "But how will we eat, pay the bills...." But God, who is the provider of all, reminds us, that if we obey, he will provide for us. How refreshing, how RENEWING!
Long post, but simple thought, We all need to learn to obey God, by RESTING, by RENEWING, and he will provide ALL that we need!
Have a blessed and renewing day!
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