I praise You, O Merciful Lord, for You are steadfast and unchanging in all of Your ways. I, on the other hand, am a “new creation” and should be changing to become more like You. Because I’ve been conformed to the ways of the world, I must be open to correction of my bad habits, retraining in the way I think, cleansing from bad influences and purging of lustful desires. As Your servant, I want to be different from the world so that when I am cursed, I will bless … when I am persecuted, I will endure silently … when I am slandered, I will speak kindly … when I am treated as a fool, I will act wisely … and when dishonored, I will act honorably. As a “newborn”, I’ve been fed on the milk of Your Word so I can learn good practices and become exposed to sound doctrines that will build my life on a strong foundation. When I emulate the world and act childishly, You send trials and tests to reshape me.
So, how do I cooperate with You in rooting out the things that need to change? In Your Word, You tell me that I must not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind so I can comprehend Your will for me. The world is selfish and corrupting while Your Word is edifying and useful for instruction. I understand that the power to change is not a worldly power, but one that is mighty and able to pull down and destroy strongholds in my life. You’ve instructed me to put on the “new man” that is created in Your image. To do that, I must no longer be driven by desires and impulses and, instead, act in new ways that conform to Your Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I know that as I become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will show me a better way. If I confess my sins and forget what is behind, I must strain for what is ahead and press on to the goal of attaining the prize of my calling.
Help me move forward knowing that the changes begun in my inner man will only become manifest in my outer man if I cooperate with You. I cannot be slothful, negligent and lacking in my desire and efforts to allow myself to be reshaped into Your image. In changing, I must conform to Your teachings and accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance in living a new way. I must also be willing to get beyond superficial relationships and form deep, unconditional love filled ones that are motivated by selflessness and a desire to edify others. When I look in the mirror, I want to see You and not me. When others consider my life, I want them to see Yours lived out in me. And, when others hear me speak, I want them to hear Your words and not mine. Help me, Lord, because changing is hard to do … but, I do realize that nothing changes until something changes. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Ezekiel 11:19-20 I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. They will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.