in -- but not of

lately i've been thinking about this verse in the Bible a lot.

             And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

   

obviously, we all live in the world and obviously, the world is full of sin and wickedness since it's controlled by Satan and his demons.  we, as Christians, are the one thing Satan hates most since we belong to God, who Satan hates. but so often i get caught up in all the things this world has to offer, or i just get so busy in everyday life, which isn't bad, but i pack my schedule too full and i run out of time to get my energy refueled by talking to my Father.  when i write it out, it seems sort of ridiculous.  "well, isn't the answer obvious? make more time to read your Bible, Autumn.  duh."  yeah.....and that's also easier said than done. 

but really, what's the point of doing all this stuff on earth if it's only a passing thing and eventually, whatever we did here on earth (like me working half an hour trying to figure out the perfect pancake recipe rather than spending that extra fifteen minutes reading the Bible) is going to make all the difference?  Romans 12:2 says, "Be not conformed to this world," One of the dictionary definitions of the word "conform" is "to be similar in form or type; agree." Don't agree with the world.

and then again, i'm not saying to walk around sticking out like a sore thumb. but what's more important for me is that if someone stops me on the sidewalk to talk to me, will they walk away feeling more happy and will they know that i have my faith in One much greater than anything else or will they just take it for granted that i'm just another random kid who doesn't know what she's doing in life?

honestly, i can say that one of the biggest struggles for me is Pinterest... and as much as i love it (you know i do :) it's full of pictures and images.  bad or good -- they're all there.  and more often than not, i find myself doing something that i really know i shouldn't do.  i compare myself or my life to that which i see on a screen.  i see other people's lives, and they seem like they're living the dream.  nothing goes wrong, they're so seemingly flawless, and to top it, they might not even be a professing Christian.  *sarcastic gasp* but really, what you see on a screen is more often than not not the real deal.  yet, why do i let that influence me so much then?

and i know that what has helped me overcome insecurities and anxieties time after time is reading the Bible.  After all, i mean, it is just what my Father wrote to me, ya know?  if i personalize it like that, it becomes so much more real.  God cares about each and every single soul.  He knows their lives, and He also knows that each person's life is unique and special in there own way.  think how boring life would be if you knew exactly what was going to happen the next day, or the next day, or the next.  God has a good plan for all of us, if only we will reach out and ask Him.  I'm sure we're all familiar with Jeremiah 29:11 -  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  That verse is de bomb.  literally.  it's such a beautiful and tender promise given by God himself.  What more assurance do we need?

anyways, so to wrap up this post, basically that verse speaks volumes if you look at it closely.  when we focus on God and on His amazing love and strength that He gives us, our minds are made fresh and we can enjoy life.  God put us on earth for a reason, and everyday by striving to draw closer to Him, I believe that life will be truly "awesome." ♥ 

- autumn
*all pictures mine*