Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Romans 12:1-2

It’s a generally accepted principle that we humans are greatly influenced in our personal development by the company we keep and by what we spend our time reading, watching or thinking about. Some have suggested that we are shaped into the image of the average of the top five people we spend the most time with. I suspect that research would confirm that hypothesis.

In light of today’s reading and the theme we’ve been contemplating all week, there is a clear call to make sure that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Person we spend the most time watching, reading and thinking about. Although we cannot spend time with Him physically, we can discipline ourselves to remain mindful of His presence and His personality throughout the day, and turn to Him in conversational prayer often. In doing so, we expose ourselves to His transformative and life-giving power.

Romans 12:2 assures us that if we will keep our focus in the right place, our minds will be renewed and our lives will consequently be transformed. If we constantly turn the eyes and ears of our hearts and minds upon Jesus (i.e. “repent towards” Him) our lives will be irresistibly transformed by the influence of His Presence and His Person.

Heavenly Father, by the help of the Holy Spirit, may we be transformed by the renewing of our minds. May the Lord Jesus Christ take centre stage in our thoughts and affections today. May He become (or remain) our most influential Friend. May we become more and more like Him as we keep our eyes and our hearts fixed on Him. Amen!