“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 12:2
It is overwhelming to think about the amount of information available to us as a people who live in the digital age. With just a click of the mouse, or a tap of our finger on our smart phones, we can access more information than any generation before us. Information is available to us in large amounts and at rapid speeds. This is just the information we request. We are also bombarded with information we do not request. Data and images are all around us.
In an article by Forbes, Jon Simpson says that the average person is “exposed to around 4,000 to 10,000 ads each day.” That is a staggering number. Even on the low end, it is difficult to fathom that amount of information. We are exposed to material that is designed to inform, influence, and manipulate us. It sounds almost sinister, but in truth it is the recognition that people are actively working to persuade us to think and act in a particular way. There is daily pressure for each of us to conform to what others would have us become.
The Apostle Paul recognized this pressure over two centuries ago. When writing to the Christians in Rome, Paul encouraged them to grow in their faith. He said, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Paul knew that the only way to make sure we were shaped and molded by the love of God was to intentionally put ourselves in the presence of God and to constantly encounter the things of God.
God wants to lead us into a life of beauty, peace, joy, and grace. These are the some of the many wonderful attributes of the kingdom of God. When we commit to learning about God and our faith, we begin to develop the attributes of God. We must learn to live as a people of faith. This requires a life of learning, transformation, and growth.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
