By Carol Round —
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect”—Romans 12:2 (GNT).
A recent news item about a car prototype made me wonder, “What’s next?” The German automakers of BMW have designed a vehicle for those who are indecisive about the color of the car to choose. Currently, there are only three options—black, white, and grey—but with the push of a button, the consumer can change his mind.
Tired of keeping your white car clean. Presto! Push the button and you can change it to grey. Not satisfied, push the button again and change the color to black for a more sophisticated look. If you still can’t make up your mind, you can choose a palette of all three hues.
While the technology behind this innovation is mind-blowing, to say the least, I have trouble choosing between the myriad of choices on the cereal aisle. That’s why I stick to four different kinds of cereal. I still, however, must wade through the choices until I find my favorites.
The Choices We Make
Each day we’re faced with choices. Should we choose the healthy cereal or grab a doughnut for breakfast? Will we choose to rise when the alarm goes off or keep hitting the snooze button and risk being late? If someone cuts us off in traffic, will we react with an obscene gesture or choose to let it go?
The number of choices we make each day is hard to estimate, but it’s higher than expected. According to an article in Psychology Today, and other sources, the average person makes 35,000 choices each day. If you do the math, that’s approximately 2,000 decisions per hour, not counting sleeping time (If you spend seven hours in bed—and that doesn’t count napping time.)
I’m not sure how that number of 35,000 choices was determined, but I know one choice that can change your life forever. And, by making this life-altering choice, your life will be transformed for eternity.
A Transformed Life
After reading several different versions of Romans 12:2, I chose the “Good News Translation” above. However, I also wanted to share the translation found in The Living Bible. It reads, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.”
Before surrendering to Jesus, I was more concerned about my outward appearance and what others thought of me. My choices were dictated by “the customs of this world.” I wanted to fit in.
But I’ve learned that trying to “fit in” with this world doesn’t bring happiness. Buying the latest tech gadgets, building a lavish home, or purchasing a luxury vehicle eventually doesn’t satisfy. When the newness wears off, that God-sized hole inside of you still beckons for satisfaction.
Finding Satisfaction in Change
Finding joy and satisfaction in our lives, not just fleeting happiness, is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we let go of worldly striving and follow Jesus, things begin to change in our lives—from the inside out.
When I began to study God’s Word, my perception of myself changed. My desire no longer revolved around impressing others and depending on their opinions to boost my self-esteem. And, when I said “Yes,” to God’s purposes for my life, my entire value system changed.
God is the divine designer of our lives. When we seek His truth and His love, our lives and relationships become purpose-driven. Instead of seeking to please others, His transformative grace leads us to experience life the way our never-changing God planned it. And that pleases Him.
