Some days I’m really aware of the ways that things I spend time looking at, reading, the people I spend time around are influencing and shaping the way I think. From great things like appreciating beauty in the everyday, something I’ve been able to learn and reflect on through instagram and blogging; to the way spending time with friends shapes conversations and thought processes. Not all influences are positive; or are demonstrated positively in my life; whilst there’s potential for my life to be shaped in a beautiful way by pinterest, using it obsessively to picture my ‘dream’ life which is always going to be unattainable isn’t helpful for me. Wisdom in these things is key.
Often the key influence, shaper of my life is one I leave out; reading my Bible gets neglected not because I want to but because other things drown it out in the midst of things that ‘need’ doing, meals to be eaten, emails to be checked.
Romans 12: 2 reminds us
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
That, for me means that I need to continue to test and engage with what I fill my smartphone, those spare moments between things, my reading, thinking and socialising with. Am I allowing God to shape my thinking and renew my mind? I need to spend time, dwell and absorb the truths of his word, not just skim over things and ruminate on worldly beauty and things which will pass away. Spending time in his truth will renew my mind, something which doubtless needs doing every day.
My thoughts, and my attitude I want to have eternal significance in my day to day reality. I need to ask : is this shaping me in the right way? Am I being shaped by the world or by God? How am I shaping others?
Who/ what shapes your life and how do you keep tabs on the ways things influence you?
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