Playdough (Play-Doh) can be fun to play with. It can be rolled, flattened, shaped, and so be conformed to the shaping of the pressure of the hands. It can also be cut into designs and shapes with the use of cookie cutters. All of this takes place with action upon it.
Dough — the good kind for making bread — takes on its form from the inside out. Though the dough is first rolled to combine the ingredients, it is the yeast working from within which causes it to rise and become the loaf of bread it is intended to be. Oh, how good, that fresh bread smells and tastes. And though I know there is a recipe for homemade playdough which is edible, I prefer the real homemade bread to eat.
In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul urged. . .
“(1) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (2) 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.” (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)
We live in a world that continues to pressure us to conform to its liking; to take on its shape and likeness. The world applies its pressure to push and squeeze and shape us, and in an ever-changing world, what that likeness is continues to shift. Though the world may try to play with our life, God is serious about recreating us in Christ. (i.e. 2 Corinthians 5:17) His desire is to transform our life from the inside out. By the renewal of our mind in accordance with His Word and the power of His Spirit, God continues to transform us more and more into the image He originally created us to possess; His! (Genesis 1:26-27; also note 2 Peter 1:3-4) Therefore, may we resist the pressure of the world’s molding by allowing the Divine power of God’s Word to work from the inside out; working through our whole being so that our outward life will rise to reveal His Divine essence is truly within us!
Have a great day RESISTING THE WORLD BY THE RENEWAL GOD BRINGS!
Carl
