By Katy Mariotti

And Transformation

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 English Standard Version

I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m not a person who is good at change. I’m a creature of habit and routine. When I go to a restaurant I’ve been to before, I almost always order the same thing. I do the same things in the morning and evening to get ready for the day and get ready for bed. I like tradition.

Having just had a baby, we’ve upended all of our routines. Our daily lives are totally different, and our family dynamic has shifted. Don’t get me wrong, our beautiful baby is a giant blessing, but that doesn’t make the change less hard. And despite my difficulties with change, I know change is the way of the world. Having a new baby is not the only change around me. My ten-year-old is transitioning into her pre-teen years and suddenly has bigger and deeper emotions. My eight-year-old has become more outgoing this year which has resulted in excessive talking in class. My husband is in the second year of a new job. Not to mention the change that’s happened in the world at large. I have recently started rewatching a sitcom, and to see even how the world has changed in the 14 years since it premiered is surprising.

Change is hard, even if it’s positive change, and more so when it’s negative. I like this verse from Romans which reminds us that change can also be transformation. We don’t have to be tossed about when the world changes, but lean on the will of God and renew our minds. I encourage you to read all of Romans 12, which has great advice on how to live with and serve others, including our enemies. And while we travel through this changing world, we can take comfort that

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV

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