Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:34

 This week I was given 3 verses to focus on. Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:33, and Luke 12:34. I was going to try and reflect on them each individually but as the week went on I realized they are all very much interconnected to me.

Romans 12:2  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Matthew 6:33  "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you."

Luke 12:34  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I remember very clearly being a kid at camp and Romans 12:2 being our key verse for the week. Our theme was "Any dead fish can tumble down stream, go against the flow." At the time if you had asked me what that verse meant to me I probably would have said something like "be different" or some sort of really short response like that. Little did I know then how important it would be in this present time. There's so much evil and hate present all over this world it's so important for us to set ourselves apart from the world and actually be different, not just say the words. 

Matthew 6:33 and Luke 12:34 both have a similar meaning and it easily builds on what we know from Romans 12:2. The ways of this world shouldn't be what our aim is. It shouldn't be what makes us comfortable or what is easy or even what we think is most fun at that time. Our job is to glorify God and spread his news to others. If you grew up in a Christian family you probably heard these things countless times but we are human and we all fall short. Sometimes we just need a little reminder of what is important and what our goal on this earth should actually be. 

Reflecting on these verses this week really helped me refocus on these evils in the world. Not so much being able to identify the evils but to look at the things I've let slip, the times that I've said "well it doesn't directly affect me so why should I care?" The truth is everything is connected and even the things that I don't think have any effect on me, do affect myself, the choices I make and the world I live in. I can't control the actions or thoughts of others (and I wouldn't want that burden) but I can control my own actions and thoughts and I can use those to try and beat back the evils of the world. Our own actions always affect others whether we realize it or not. My take away from this week is Go against the ways of the world, seek God's righteousness, be intentional where I put my treasure.