New Mind. New Purpose.

By Isabelle Reardon

“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)

As human beings, our minds are constantly being shaped. Our worldview gets molded, our ideologies and affiliations shift, the things spend our time on change. This is part of the human experience; it's natural, part of the growth process, and comes with age and experience. 

The question you have to ask is what's shaping your mind? What influences and entities are at the pottery wheel of your mind? Because what you allow to shape your mind will determine your motivation and has the potential of directing whether you walk in your purpose or not. It also sets the tone for how you love people, for the way you speak, for the way you walk, and for how you face the future. What you allow to shape your mind will determine whether your mind is being renewed (anakainōsei: to be made new, complete change for the better, renovation that leads to transformation—or deteriorating. 

Think of it like a home show. When your mind is not renewed and simply shaped by the world around you, it's like a home that continues to age and break and fall apart. But when your mind is renewed, it's like gutting all the broken and outdated things and giving it a fresh, beautiful makeover!  

If our minds aren’t being transformed by the truth of God’s Word, then we can be certain our wandering hearts will be conformed to the pattern of this sinful, rapidly deteriorating world. Why? Because our minds can only truly be renewed through spiritual disciplines and engaging in a vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus because He is the only One who can make the broken whole, the dirty clean, and the deteriorating brand new (Mark 5:22–34, 6:53–56; Revelation 21:5). 

I’ve found that the abundant life the Lord has for me is experienced through a perspective shift. Oftentimes, it’s not so much my circumstances changing drastically, but rather the way I view my circumstances. For example, if my mind is being shaped by my anxieties or the arguments being expressed in the media, then I will be motivated by that same anxiety and fear. When this happens, my attitude, my relationships, my expectation, and my hope begin are hindered and deteriorate. But if my mind is being renewed with God’s Word, I will continually be transformed into a woman of hope who believes the Lord works all things together for my good and His glory. I will know that goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, that in my weakness God’s power is made perfect, and that no matter what I will not lack anything good (Romans 8:28; Psalm 23:6; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 34:10).

I’ve often experienced mini life crises that were rooted in the question of whether or not I was walking in God’s will for my life. The beautiful thing about the Word of God and its transforming power is that it’s promised to be a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path, and it gives light and understanding to our minds. And so, as women and daughters of the most-high King who love the words of our Father, we can 1) purposefully renew our minds in His Word, 2) be transformed so we can know the good and pleasing perfect will of our Father, 3) be able to walk with confidence and purpose, and 4) experience the abundant life the Lord has for us. 

So, if you’re anything like me, you might have shaped your mind from things other than the truth of God’s Word. If so, you’ll need to pause, pray, and remember the truth of God’s Word, the hopeful promises that fill it, and the clear direction in it. When you set our mind and heart on these things, you’ll be transformed evermore into the daughter the Lord has called you to be and certainly experience the abundant life He has for you.

Let us be women, girls, and daughters who walk in all the Lord has for us, because we walk rooted in all of His Words that are for us.

Pause: Take inventory of what you’ve been renewing your mind with. What thoughts are dominating your mind and therefore determining your actions?

Practice: Choose a Scripture or a truth from God’s Word and meditate on it today and throughout your week. When you feel your mind wandering to anxiety and fear, focus your mind on this Scripture.

Pray: Jesus, teach me to set my mind on things above. I want to be renewed and transformed by Your Word and in turn be a woman who walks in the way of Your Word. Amen.