When I was seven I wanted to be a teacher. When I was nine I wanted to be President of the United States. When I was 15 I wanted to be a secretary and at 20 I wanted to be an interior designer. At 23 I wanted to follow God’s call on my life as an officer in The Salvation Army.

While I dreamed of changing professions regularly, I worked in a variety of businesses including childcare, restaurant service, retail packaging, and administrative work. Each field acted as a stepping-stone to what I thought would be the “right fit.” Each field left me feeling as though something was missing. 

One day when I was working for Divisional Headquarters in the Del Oro Division, I was sitting in on a day of camp staff orientation.  Colonel Colleen Riley gave a brief devotional about The Salvation Army delivering the mission of God to the children coming to camp. While she was talking I was hit with an undeniable confirmation that my husband and I needed to surrender our constant quest for the perfect career and begin the process of Officership. Oh the peace that came with that call! Talk about a peace like I had never felt before! 

This isn’t a Bible study calling you to officership (although if you’re interested, I can connect you with someone), but rather a Bible study exploring how you can be certain about God’s will for your life.  

When Paul writes his letter to the Romans he includes a small verse about two-thirds of the way through that gives us all of the answers we need to discover God’s will for our lives. Romans 12:2 (NIV) urges, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  

For many of us, this verse is one we’ve heard over and over again. But what does it really mean? What does it mean to be transformed? How will that help me know God’s will for my life? How does one verse tell me everything I need to know about my future?  Let’s break down the verse.  

“Do not conform to the patterns of this world.”

Paul tells us, the readers/believers, to stop trying to be what the world wants us to be. This is easier said than done. Our society encourages us to be ruthless, successful, self-motivated, and to chase after material things. Paul tells us to avoid those things. Do not conform to the patterns of this world. Do not pursue fame. Do not strive for status. Do not seek material possessions. Do not be like everyone else.

“But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The word mind here means more than just the typical stored up knowledge in the brain. It represents the requirement for changed intention, thought and action. It isn’t enough to hear a verse and say, “Oh yeah, I’ve heard that one.” The verses should be a part of our daily lives. Our minds (intentions, thoughts, actions) should be a reflection of God’s love and character and not another image of the world around us. When we are transformed, we are not the same as we were before.  

“Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  

This is where the application comes in. Have you ever worked for something? Like really worked for something? Perhaps you studied for weeks leading up to a test or trained for months for a competition. And when the time came for you to take the test or compete, you were ready. You relied on all of the material and training you put in, and you finished well. That is what this portion of our verse is about. This is the part that allows you to finish strong and know with confidence what God has for your future.

When we are transformed or renewed by God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit is living in us, we are transformed and we are able to discern whether the path we are walking down is in-line with what He wants from us and for us.

What Does Being Transformed Look Like?

Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV):“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV):“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

These are things that happen when you’re transformed. And when you’re transformed, you’ll be surprised how quickly you will have peace and clarity about God’s will for your life.

An 11-Day Transformation Project:

Day 1: Love

In order to live out the greatest commandment (loving God and loving ourselves), we need to establish areas of love already in existence in our lives.

For today’s activity, write down the names of five people you love. Then identify five things about those people. Now write down five things you love about God. Finally, write five things you love about yourself. 

Day 2: Joy

Let’s be clear. Joy and happiness are NOT the same. Happiness is a feeling that changes like the weather. Happiness is temporary and comes from a new iPhone. Joy is eternal and comes from the Lord (Psalm 16:11). It can be challenging to feel joy when you don’t feel happy. Today, look back on a time or two where you were hurt or disappointed and think about your reactions.

Your reaction might not have been great, but that’s okay. Remember, we’re working on transformation. Now, identify ways that God helped you to overcome that and how His presence in your life can help you to have a better reaction in the future.

Day 3: Peace

I mentioned experiencing peace when I knew God’s will for my life. God has revealed His peace to me time and time again when I’ve asked for it.

Today, spend 10 minutes in prayer and meditation asking God to give you peace about an area of your life that you’re feeling confused about or an area of your life that may be troubling you.  

Day 4: Forbearance

For-what? Yeah, that word used to trip me up too. It’s a fancy way of saying patience or tolerance. I don’t know about you, but I have always been warned about praying for patience—something about God testing me further. However, what I have come to discover is that I lack tolerance all the time. I’m always being tested, whether I have prayed about it or not, so I might as well give it over to God and ask Him to refine me in that.

So, on day four, think about something you really need to not let bother you as much as it does. Commit to praying about it in the moment. Maybe it’s a person or a situation that is annoying you to the bone. Ask God to give you perspective and clarity so that you can become more patient and tolerant.  

Day 5: Kindness

How are you supposed to be kind? Kindness takes on various forms, but it requires action. Some are more naturally inclined to respond with kindness or to go out of their way to be kind. For others, it requires a great deal of effort. The thing about kindness is that it isn’t self-motivated. Compliments aren’t given so that they can be received back; notes aren’t written for getting “thanks” back; gifts aren’t given in hopes of receiving a gift back.

Kindness is about others. Today, be intentional and give three people an act of kindness anonymously. That’s right, anonymously. Pick up trash without anyone noticing, write an encouraging note to a friend and don’t sign your name, leave a favorite snack for a teacher when he or she isn’t looking. 

Day 6: Goodness

Goodness and kindness are similar so the action will be similar except this requires more of yourself. To convey goodness, pick an act of service to contribute to. Maybe you notice your mom needs some extra help around the house, or you have a sibling that needs help with homework.

These are acts of service/goodness that contribute to your transformation. Being intentional about doing good will help God’s goodness flow more freely from you.  

Day 7: Faithfulness

We can still be faithful even when we’re feeling emotions other than happiness. God isn’t abandoning us, and when we’re faithful we acknowledge that to be true.

Take a walk today and while you do, contemplate God’s faithfulness in your life. Perhaps you can repeat God’s faithfulness to you and your commitment to be faithful to Him.  

Day 8: Gentleness

The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie. Words hurt. Sometimes they hurt a lot. I think most of us have been hurt by words at some point in our lives.

Today, practice taking a gentle approach by using your words to uplift those around you. Write a letter to someone you may have hurt in the past. Tell them how much they mean to you in order to build them up. Moving forward, commit to words of gentleness.

Day 9: Self-Control

What does self-control have to do with transformation? Everything. When we control our selfish desires, we demonstrate self-control. As it turns out, our innate desire to pursue things of the flesh (i.e. status, lust, fortune, etc.) can overrun our lives and destroy our hearts and minds. When we control those desires by pursuing the things in God’s Word, we are being transformed.

The first step to acknowledging we’re weak in our ability to demonstrate self-control is admitting the areas we struggle with the most. Write it down. See the weakness on paper. Ask a friend or mentor to help hold you accountable until you can do it on your own.

Day 10: Love God

To completely love God we first have to identify who He is and what we love about Him. On day ten, compile a list of names and characteristics of God, using Scripture to support why you love God.

Day 11: Love Yourself

This is a challenge for many of us! We see our flaws. We know our own sin. We’ve listened to every person who has cut us down with their words and actions, and we’ve felt the rejection and disappointment caused by those we love.

We are our toughest critics. But God doesn’t see us that way. He loves us as His children; His creation. Remember He created us and said it was good (Genesis 1:31). Using a marker, write all of the good things about yourself on a mirror. (Glass cleaner will wipe the marker right off when you’re done.)

Continue to be transformed. It is always a process, but you will be closer and closer to God, and closer and closer to knowing His will for your life.