A CALL TO SHED THE BORROWED SKIN

Văn John Dương June 14, 2024

We all get stuck in ruts. We fall into patterns, habits that become as comfortable as an old sweater, even if it's a little frayed and worn. Romans 12:2 shatters that complacency with a call to action that resonates deep within the soul: "Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

It's a verse that stings, a gentle but firm nudge to look in the mirror and ask ourselves: are we truly living, or simply existing on autopilot? The world throws a constant barrage of influences our way. It tells us what to wear, how to act, what success looks like. And sometimes, we fall prey to its whispers, morphing ourselves into pale imitations of what we think we should be.

But Romans 12:2 isn't about blind rejection. It's about transformation. It's about peeling back the layers of societal expectations and rediscovering the authentic you, the one sculpted by God's love.

This transformation isn't easy. It takes a conscious effort, a "renewing of the mind." It's about challenging our limiting beliefs, questioning the voices that tell us we're not enough. It's about seeking out truth, immersing ourselves in the life-giving words of scripture, and allowing them to wash away the noise of the world.

There will be moments of doubt, times when the familiar comfort of the old ways beckons. But with each deliberate step towards transformation, a quiet strength builds within. We begin to see the world through a new lens, one that recognizes the good, the acceptable, and the perfect will of God.

It might mean letting go of a toxic relationship that no longer serves us. It might mean pursuing a long-dormant dream that the world deemed impractical. It might mean standing up for what we believe in, even when it feels uncomfortable.

The journey is a beautiful mess. There will be tears and stumbles, moments of frustration where the path seems unclear. But with each step, we become a little more whole, a little more radiant, a more authentic reflection of the divine spark within us.

Romans 12:2 isn't a promise of a perfect life. It's a promise of growth, of becoming the best version of ourselves, the version God always intended us to be. It's a call to shed the borrowed skin and embrace the extraordinary transformation waiting within.