Do not confirm

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We cannot test and approve what God’s will is, unless we refuse to conform to the world. To be able to do this we must be able to discern what the world is in our lives. The worldly way is to live for self, not for God.

Jesus said, “if you are to be my disciples you must take up your cross and follow me”(Luke 14:27). In the prior verse He said, “unless you hate father, mother, brother or sister and even your own life, by comparison”. Did He actually mean hate our families? No, however, He meant not having them before Him. This harkens  back to the first commandment: ‘You shall love the Lord Your God with all you heart, soul and mind’. Fortunately Jesus also said, “and love your neighbour as yourself”.  

The world loves those who love them, and not care about everybody else. However, we cannot do this because they are our ‘neighbours’. This requires us to live aware. Living aware causes us to be sensitive to what God is doing in others. 

If I go out my front gate at around 5 I see a melee of souls running too and fro. They are all neighbours and  I note how I, a stranger, is viewed, with caution. To the right of the front gate is a tailor’s shop. Always there are animated women then chatting. I am keen to go and talk to them. First I need to craft my words into Nepali. I am looking to the day when I can communicate with them. May God train me and show me His way. Amen!