Daily Scripture:

‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ (Romans 12 v 2)

Daily Reflection:

Jesus was radical. He came to turn our thinking, beliefs, behaviour, and indeed the world, upside down. He said difficult things like - forgive those who have hurt you, don't bear grudges, don't seek revenge, and love those who are hard to like, let alone love! And yes, he knew that we wouldn't be able to do all these difficult things. Paul says that, thinking like we do, we can't possibly live the way Jesus asked us to, BUT, thinking like Jesus does, we can! For example, forgiving someone for hurting you is almost impossible unless we "renew our minds" about the situation. How about saying to God today - "Lord, I know you ask me to forgive, but I can't, I'm still too hurt. Help me to see this person as you see them". We may have no idea of the past circumstances of another person's life that causes them to react in a hurtful way. Therefore, the judgement we make about them could be "unjustified"! The Lord sees all, and will help us renew our thinking in all situations.

And the outcome for our own lives when we "renew our thinking"? The perfect will of God for us, the best of what we can only imagine and hope for - life lived in abundance!

Vicki Young