“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 I reflect on the past two years, listen to any news broadcast, or read any newspaper, I am reminded of the world crisis so many have experienced and the heartache and pain many have endured. We have made it through some unprecedented times, and we can surely thank God who has been faithful. Being a librarian in today’s environment is full of challenges that can be heartbreaking and painful. As we look toward the work of our next seasons, what better way to prepare for this new season than with the desire to be transformed by the Holy Spirit!
God desires us to surrender every part of our life to Him. Have we been discouraged or disappointed? Are we weary every time we turn to a news broadcast? Is our workload getting heavier and becoming more than we can bear? We can confront these challenges and any others we may face by renewing our minds. What an exciting journey ahead!
Renewing the mind, by definition, is an internal process. What will direct Christians to live in a way that is pleasing to God? Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “for it is God who works in [us] to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose,” changing from within the very way we think. By the “renewing of the mind” we transform ourselves and prove in practice God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will.” When we change the way we think, we change the way we live. Through His Spirit, God wants to reprogram our thinking, but remember, it truly is a process; we will not change overnight. In this microwave way of living, the process of renewal requires time, and we may need to repeat the process several times before we achieve some level of success.
We are never alone, and we do not have to figure out all the particulars. According to Ephesians 3:16–17, “he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love” (KJV). It is so comforting to know God is there to help us to be rooted and grounded in love. Oh, what a love!
Imagine witnessing the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. It is quite an extraordinary sight to behold. Consider how this unassuming animal wiggles and struggles through a process to be transformed into a beautiful new creature–a butterfly!
The butterfly changes and appears by nature to make a deliberate decision to be made new. Yes, it struggles, but it doesn’t stop going through the process of change until it gets to that place of renewal. My prayer for each of us is that we experience some form of transformation by the Holy Spirit in our lives during the upcoming season. God will be pleased.
Gwendolyn Peart
Gwendolyn is the Director of Library and Archives at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. She has been an ACL since 2021.