Sound Check

Technology is a wonderful thing, isn't it? As I type on a device that can send my message across the globe in seconds, I'm munching on popcorn I just made in the microwave. Even Tinkerbell enjoys that kind of crunchy good technology! I've been listening to music from the 70s, albums I tossed long ago, but technology has placed them at my fingertips again. And there's not one pop or crackle anywhere! The music has been remastered. There's just one small issue, my brain has not. Despite the tremendous improvement technology has had on the quality of the music pouring into my ears, my brain installs hisses and snaps where they once were. I can see the 33 wobbling on the spindle, keeping time with the melody. I feel the smooth cardboard cover between my fingertips. I'm pretty sure I can still smell the vinyl. 

Romans 12:2 says, "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (emphasis mine) When God talks of being "conformed to this world," what He's referring to is patterns and behaviors typical of people, patterns and behaviors that are human by nature as opposed to godlike in nature. Is it human nature to be selfish? Yes. Is it God's nature to be kind? Yes. Selfishness is conformity to the world's, or humanity's way of doing things. Kindness is conformity to Spirit-filled living. 

When God talks about transformation, He's talking about leaving one way of thinking, speaking, and living for another. Just as the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly doesn't happen overnight, neither does the transformation of our thoughts, words, and actions, but it does begin the moment the Holy Spirit enters us at rebirth. So, we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit begins to dwell within us, and immediately gets to work. 

Here is the pivotal point of all this: the Holy Spirit works in conjunction with the will of the believer. Imagine hiring a designer to redo your entire home. Everything the designer suggests, you refuse. You want the same furniture, the same color scheme, the same layout. The designer leaves in frustration. You've not trusted his expertise, and you've obviously not determined to allow him to do what he does best. The transformation of the Holy Spirit requires a quest for and a commitment to what is true and what is God's plan. If we genuinely trust God as the Master of our lives, we need to allow His Spirit to make the changes that will be best for us and will conform us to God's will. We need to read Scripture and fill our minds with things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. When we feed our minds with the healthy food of God's Word, it becomes a transformation incubator. As our thoughts, words, and actions are transformed we not only look more like our Heavenly Father, but we understand Him more closely and accurately. Knowing who He is and how He works will "remaster" your mind. Your mind will no longer install the hisses, pops, or crackles of your previous record. You will hear and think with better quality. The things of the past will no longer bleed into the story of your future. And that sure sounds good to me!