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"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
(Romans 12:1-2, CSB)
Where did the summer go? It is hard to believe that summer is gone and that students are heading back to school. Summer vacations are coming to a close, and (hopefully) some cooler fall weather is just around the corner. I don't know about you, but I love the fall and several of the things it brings with it! I love that this time of year brings football season back to us. (Can I get an amen?!) I love that this time of year brings school back around, and everyone is getting excited for a brand new school year. (Can all the parents give me an amen?) I love the new sports leagues that are happening around this time of year and that weekends will be filled with games, family, and activities.
The one thing that has quickly hit me (and maybe you are like me) is that this fall season also comes with a heavy dose of "busyness". With new sports seasons come new practice and game schedules. With the new school year comes new driving arrangements for pick-up and drop-off, new study routines, and the ever-present reality of new friendships and rivalries that come with school. If we are not careful, the theme for these first few weeks of fall and all the "new" or "returning" stuff is this: just survive the busyness.
Before you get sucked into surviving the busyness, what if the Lord wants to grow your relationship with Him during this busy season? What if God wants you to know He is ever-present and with you every step of this Fall season? I believe those two things are true, and I think that we have to do a couple of things to make these truths a reality. First, recognize that this season is going to be BUSY! Seasons of life come and go, but our God stays the same! Our God is still in control, still ruling and reigning, and still our Lord and Savior, even in busy times. So first, recognize that it's going to be busy, but God will be with you; this time will pass, and God will still be there!
Secondly, and more importantly, let the truth of Romans 12:1-2 constantly be in your mind. This verse has so many nuggets of truth, but I want to focus on one: "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." With busyness distracting us from God, we must make an intentional effort to constantly renew our minds. We must each ask ourselves, "What is gaining trust and dependence in my life?" Is your trust and dependence on a calendar or schedule growing more than your trust and dependence on our Holy, Living God? Are you constantly feeling rushed and at the mercy of the "tyranny of the urgent", or are you walking with the Lord and drawing your strength and energy from Him? Are you spending more time renewing your mind so you can be transformed, or instead making and reviewing plans?
If we can constantly renew our minds with good, godly things, our perspective and outlook on a busy day will change. We are no longer at the mercy of a calendar but walking in the grace and mercy that our God has given us for today.
So, brother or sister, renew your mind today and every day by not getting bogged down in the busy but by instead being uplifted and encouraged by the things of God. Start each day with prayer and opening up the Bible, and pray and give thanks to God throughout the day, then watch how even in a busy season of life, you will grow deeper in your relationship with your heavenly Father.
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