So as a World Race Team, the July group has taken on the challenge to read the gospels together and post comments on our blogs. To be honest, I have not been keeping up, but when I can, I love to read what everyone has been posting. I did however catch the reminder to read Romans 12, and what a blessing it was. One of my best friends in the whole world, Kelly Murray, and I had the incredible opportunity to study the book of Romans while we were living in Spain. It was such an amazing experience studying this gospel in some of the most beautiful cafes and streets of the historic country of Spain.
As I reread this chapter, I found so many treasureds that I had forgotten about since I read it two years ago. As I’m reading it over now, trying to figure what exerpts to type here, I can’t pick just a couple! They are all so unbelieveably insightful and full of truth that I might have to type them all out. We’ll see how far I get 🙂
Romans 12:1-2a
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice– the kind he will accpet. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
This one really hits home. Especially when he says, “is this too much to ask?” After I read this I thought to myself, how different would my life be if I truly lived by this principle, day by day? How would my outlook on my future be affected? My outlook on worrying or trying to figure out my place in this life? Definitely something to think about.
Romans 12:6-11 (this is my favorite part :))
“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! (I love that part!) If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine
affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Love enthusiastically.”
I love this call to do the things that you are good at! Seems easy enough, right? The God of the universe has given you, YOU, specific talents and He wants you to excel at them. I love that about our God. In my mind, whenever we all get to Heaven, all of our talents will be magnified times 1,000,000 and perfected by the love and grace of our perfect God. Something cool to thing about. 🙂
