When we think of renewal, we might think of renewing our driver’s license. We might think of getting back to something after an interruption. But the definition I like is “the replacing or repair of something that is worn out, run-down, or broken.” It seems to me to speak to the dilemma of burnout that is talked about by many who work themselves to a frazzle. By the time we care for family, homes, work and friends, we often have little energy for one more meeting – at church or with God. Fitting in that “quiet time” is often a real challenge.
Paul encourages us to spend the time we need with God and not short cut renewing our minds. Spending time with God helps us keep our priorities straight and has a trickle-down affect on the rest of our day. It is kind of like “paying-it-forward.” When the person ahead of you at McDonalds pays your bill so that when you come to the window, you have a pleasant surprise, spending a brief time in prayer and the Word may give you just that insight you need to organize your day. You may hear the words of forgiveness for the mistakes of yesterday. Sometimes just the right verse jumps off the page to put events in perspective. Paul encourages us that renewing our mind with God is transformational.
I have quoted a standard translation first of Romans 12:2 and then the chit chatty Message version. Enjoy. Blessings.
“2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NIV)”
“12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2, The Message)”
On the Way to Wonder 