Conforming or Transforming? - Crosswalk the Devotional - February 1

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Conforming or Transforming? By Meghan Kleppinger And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:2]( NAS “Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificed on the altar of conformity and popularity.”-- Charles Spurgeon Reading down a top magazine’s list of the 100 best English-language novels published since 1923 made my pulse quicken and my heart sink. As an avid and admittedly often obnoxiously-distracted-in-public reader (I always have a book on me in case the opportunity to read arises – like when I’m waiting for coffee, caught up in traffic, or standing in a line at the department of motor vehicles, to name a few examples), I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I nearly had a panic attack, not because of any distaste or disagreement over the books chosen, but because of the number of books listed that I haven’t read yet. Quickly, I made my way to both the local library and Amazon.com websites and planned to start building my reserve list and filling my online shopping cart. As I moved my mouse to the search box so I could enter my selection, a little something I like to call “common sense” came over me. Scolding myself, I whispered with clenched teeth, “Meghan, get a hold of yourself!” After a few deep breaths, there was a point of rational thinking when I realized that I didn’t even know who wrote the list and that more than half of the books selected would never have been personal choices simply because of my dislike for the authors or the types of literature. I know and read what I like. Occasionally, I’ll try something new or especially challenging just for fun, but mostly I’m loyal to a small circle of favorite authors. Isn’t easy to get caught up in what everybody is doing? Polls, magazines, television advertisements and [movies]( are constantly telling us how to think, what to wear, who to vote for, what to watch, and in this case, what to read. As Christians, we need to be especially careful with messages dictating what is “in.” This list of books, for example, had several titles I shouldn’t read simply because I am a Christ-follower. It’s not about whether I can “handle” the content, it’s about living a life that reflects and pleases Christ. When I choose to read a book, I’m making a decision to commit hours and hours engrossed in that story. As we choose what to wear, listen to, watch, or read, we need to remember what Scripture says about how we spend our time and what we spend our time focusing on. “…Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” ([Philippians 4:8]( [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [How to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham (7 Powerful Habits to Cultivate)]( iBelieve Contributors In [his recent tribute]( to the late Reverend Billy Graham, pastor and [Desiring God]( founder John Piper notes Graham’s incredible habit of Bible study (taken from John Pollock’s biography, Billy Graham): [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [7 Lies Modern Churches Need to Stop Believing]( Patricia Engler Lies left unchecked can keep churches from fulfilling their God-given purpose and potential. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2021 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](