“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.” Romans 12:1-2 Phillips Translation

Do you ever feel the squeeze? The squeeze of compliance, of being like the rest of the world, with no thought of God, His Word or His will?

We are all influenced by what we consider the most, spend the most time with and allow access to our thoughts. But we have choices–we can turn back to the Word of God, His Love and presence, to lay down our will and ways and allow His thoughts to shape us and not the world.

To have our eyes remain open and focused, not on what is around us, but on the one who inhabits our praises. Not just on a Sunday morning, but everyday. You see, we become true mature Christians when we allow His Word to be a greater influence in us than the news of what’s going on around us.

The only way things will change around you is to allow the Word to change you. If enough of us do that, we become the influencers instead of the ones that are constantly moulded by what is happening around them.

Wouldn’t you like to be someone who puts the squeeze on the world instead of being squeezed by the world? You can! When you hear the words, “Aren’t you afraid?” You can respond with, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” They may laugh, but they’ll stop when they see you’re not affected by their fear.

When you hear, “People are dying all around us.” You can respond with, “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I (Jesus) have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!”

Have something better to offer by responding with the Word that is in you, instead of the world that’s around you. Be the squeeze!

Sandy G