Changing your mind

Romans 12:1-2 Sisters and Brothers, I call upon you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies to him, a living, consecrated sacrifice, well-pleasing to God--for that is the only kind of worship which is truly spiritual. And do not shape your lives to meet the fleeting fashions of this world; but be transformed from it, by the renewal of your mind, until the very essence of your being is altered, so that, in your own life, you may prove that the will of God is good and well pleasing and perfect.

J B Phillips paraphrases part of this text as, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”

The words translated here as transformed and remould, come from a Greek word now found in the English language as metamorphosis - meaning either a change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means or a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances. 

In his classic novel, "The Robe," Lloyd C. Douglas has a character called Marcellus, who had become enamoured of Jesus. He wrote letters to his fiancée Diana in Rome. He told her about Jesus' teachings, about his miracles, then about his crucifixion, and then about his resurrection. Finally, he informed her that he had decided to become a disciple of Jesus. In her letter of response, Diana said, "What I feared was that it might affect you. It is a beautiful story. Let it remain so. We don't have to do anything about it, do we?"

In the musical, Jesus Christ Super Star, Andrew Lloyd Webber as Mary Magdalene singing, “I've been changed, yes really changed, In these past few days, When I've seen myself, I seem like someone else.”

The Bible Teacher Warren Wiersbe speaking of the need for change as a disciple of Jesus, says, “Nothing paralyses our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.”

Here are some words by Joy Webb that speak of the need of our worlds metamorphosis.

How great the darkness, how deep the need! 

How vast the problems of indifference, hate and greed; 

A world rejecting the truth once known, 

And slipping down into a nightmare of its own; 

Is there a light that's strong enough to go, 

And metamorphasize the darkness that we know? 

How bright the light is from soul to soul: 

A myriad tiny flames expanding to a whole, 

How strange the truth is when joined as one, 

And what a miracle this shining could become; 

It could transform the darkness that we know, 

And clearly light the way mankind must try to go.

I am a candle of the Lord, 

with truth and love more powerful than sword! 

O fan the flame, its single gleam diffuse, 

And let my spirit be the light that You can use. 

I am the candle of the Lord. Light me! Light me! 

Lord God,

Maker of heaven and earth,

we travel our advent  journey together in Your name.

May we be changed as living sacrifices,

to offer You our worship and thanksgiving,

our praise and our prayers.

Come among us, living Lord.

Through the power of Your Holy Spirit,

transform our hearts and minds

so that we may recognise Your presence,

hear Your voice,

know Your will,

and walk in Your way.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,

our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.