Benchmark

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to 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

I just want to do God’s will. I say this so often and at times I get hung up on the contemplating if I am in God’s will. Did I make the right decision? Is this the best that God has for me? Am I where God is moving?  

In this process to El Salvador, I have been overly swamped by life, duties and stuff. Often when I start to question God’s will for my life, I am quickened to a mental checklist to give me the reality of where I am at in the “renewing of my mind.”  What’s my prayer time like? What’s the depth of my study of the Word? How am I with fellowship? Am I serving? Is the world out weighing the cross? What are my responses? What are my daily patterns and behaviors? What consumes my thoughts?

Similar to a Benchmark Workout in Crossfit or a test for one of my course studies, this checklists reveals to me what I need to know and do.  More and more the requirement of being disciplined is evident in my race with the Lord. I have experienced the power, peace, joy and favor of being in the middle of God’s will and I want it all the time. But it is not something that is made permanent by happenstance, like anything of great value and importance it’s requires an action..... Not conforming, to be transformed in the renewing of what I think and then I can test and approve. And renewing what I think is to focus on and be like-minded with Christ.... and I know what this looks like because of the Word.... and I hold on to this truth "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."