Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
How can I offer my body as a living sacrifice to God? I think that if I follow what Jesus tells me to do–love as He loves, forgive as He forgives–instead of following my natural tendencies to judge and hold grudges, that’s a step in the right direction.
Romans 12:2a Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind….
I think if I can be a safe haven of acceptance, a place where folks can catch their breath, not feel the sting of judgment, a place where they can find their feet, that’s a step in the right direction. I strive to do these things…with varying degrees of success. But I’ll keep trying to be more like Jesus in my thoughts, words, and deeds. I think that pleases Him.
Romans 12:2b …Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Precious Savior, the world calls us to judge others. The world says that we need to put ourselves first, tear others down, lift ourselves up. You have called me to another path, a difficult path, a loving path. Help me to love as You love. Help me to put aside the ways of this world and offer myself, my words, my actions as a living sacrifice to You. Amen.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Have a blessed day.