Living Verse

My living verse, without a doubt, is Romans 12:1-2.   Paul writes, "Therefore brothers and sisters I urge you, do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world.  But be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may be able to discern what is God's good, pleasing and perfect will."  (at least, that's my paraphrase of the verse)  Some might call it a "life verse," but I think it should be a verb so I call it a living verse.

So in order to resist conforming to the patterns of this world, I have to figure out what the patterns of this world are, right?  I will say that everything I say, is said from the worldview of a white, female American that was raised in middle-class suburbs.  I always had more than enough, and I had two loving parents who raised me in a Christian household, to be the woman I am today.   Also I believe that everything that is good, is from God.  There are some things that we think are good, that really are not.  And everything that is evil is from the deceiver, the prince of darkness, aka the devil.  

That being said, three main patterns of this world that I see around me on a daily are self-preservation, self-fulfillment and materialism.  I see self-preservation every time someone lies or bends the truth to save face (C.Y.A.).  I see it every time someone makes a deposit into their 401-K or other retirement account.  I see self-fulfillment every time someone goes shopping to seek the newest fashion, decor or technology.  I see it every time a man or woman is unfaithful to their spouse.  And I see materialism as people sacrifice self and family for upward mobility in their career, and as people go further and further into debt to buy things that will only  leave them wanting more.  Honestly I see all three of these things in the "American Dream."  Buy a house, have a good job, have expendable income so you get a chance to do fun things, have the freedom to make yourself happy no matter what brings you that happiness...isn't that the American dream?  Isn't that what society is telling us we are all living for?

If I'm wrong tell me, convince me that this culture built on capitalism, exploitation and greed is selling you something else.  


I'll leave it with a verse from Lecrae


"If you making a lot money hope you doing it right
Because the money is God's you better steward it right
...
People living life for a job
Make a lil money start living for a car
Get em a house, a wife, kids, and a dog
When they retire they living high on the hog
But guess what they didn't ever really live at all
To live is Christ yeah that's Paul I recall
To die is gain so for Christ we give it all
He's the treasure you'll never find in the mall"