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Paul's Renewal Formula, Part 1
by Sifu, Darrin F. Coe, MA
In the Christian Bible, the apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome, "But be no longer conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you might test the perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2,3) Earl Nightingale puts it a little differently but conveys a similar sentiment in the phrase, "We become what we think about." In order to tune into the higher, more enlightened aspects of life, we must, according to Paul, "Be not conformed"; "be transformed"; and "renew your mind". Paul is giving us the formula for abundant living, and moving out of mediocrity into a world of abundant, enlightened living. The rest of this essay will be focused on analyzing Paul's "renewal formula". No Longer Be Conformed to the Pattern of This World Paul was writing to the Romans. The Romans were known for the debauchery of their society. The had a love for violence, bloodshed; political deceit, and being sexually unsafe. They cared nothing for the baseborn aspects of society, and those born to the lower social classes accepted their position with catatonic-like acquiescence. Paul was telling the Roman Christians, "Don't be like that!! Be better than the status quo of the day!! Live life above the pattern of this world!!" 3 We can take this same advice in our current day and age. My perception of society today is one of Apathy. As a society, the United States appears to be an apathetic, entertainment driven society, addicted to ease and convenience. Folks throw a fit if they have to actually get off the couch and change the television channel manually. We are the most obese nation in the world due to the ease and convenience of acquiring food. In our society the common middle-class to lower-class person appears to meander around in their metal coffin, in some type of mediocre fog, being happy that "Friday's comin' and team X is playing on ESPN Saturday." At work I greet people asking, "How are ya, Bill?" Most folks respond with such comments as, "It's one day closer to Friday." or "I'm here." Or "I'm surviving" and that's if you're lucky enough to get a response in the first place. It is my perception that people have become convinced that they are not allowed to live fantastic, abundant lives. Thus, success is getting the yearly cost of living raise and retiring with an 80% pension. This is as easy as it gets and very few people appear to want any more. It's easy to wander about in a mediocre fog awaiting the day you can sit and stare at the walls at home instead of staring at the walls of an office. It is my encouragement to you based on Paul's renewal formula to not conform to the pattern of this world!! Don't conform to the patter of apathy and mediocrity!! Don't conform to complacency and just "living for the bell". Conformity in today's day and age, I believe, results in mind-numbing mediocrity in which the only satisfaction in life comes from not burning the pizza on Wednesday night. I want you to live the most abundant life possible and for every day of the rest of your life to be a day of JOY!! This is what is meant by the saying, `Embrace life and shout, "Bring The 4 Noise!!" Take life in a love embrace and face it head on!! In his autobiography, Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour De France, states that his creed was to turn opposition into opportunity, attack every race head on, and get the most out of life no matter what happened to him. His determination created a life lived completely by design and not the apathetic default of those around him. He knew how to loudly shout, "Bring The Noise!!" Thus, I want you to make a conscious choice that you will no longer be fogged and numbed by conforming to the pattern of today's world but instead you'll Embrace Life and Shout, "Bring The Noise!!" But Be Transformed Paul continues with his renewal formula by telling us how we should be living; we should be living transformed lives. That is, lives that are different from those around us. A transformer in electronics transforms electrical energy from one job to another. The cartoon Transformers, are able to transform themselves from fairly ineffectual robots to highly charged fighting machines. This is what the Apostle Paul is encouraging each of us to do. Paul wants us to be transformed; be different; be so different that you are able to affect the community around you by the enlightened abundant life that you live. Your transformation from mediocrity to excellence should involve affecting the environment and the community around in a positive, enlightened way. This is one of the measuring sticks of your transformation to a life well-lived; how positively do you affect others around you? So how's this transformation facilitated? What's the key to change and transformation? Paul gives us this key in the final piece of the formula. We are to . . .
Darrin F. Coe, MA is Founder of the Secret Society For Peace He can be contacted via the SS4P website at http://dcoe1.tripod.com or at loki@ris.net Mr. Coe is available for speaking on a limited basis and is the author of "Bring The Noise: Warrior Poetry. Poetry to Inspire the Warrior Within"
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