The Desert Island Challenge

I was listening to a Vision Forum CD this weekend called “How to think like a Christian”. In it, Doug Phillips challenges listeners to take the “desert island challenge”. If we were living on a desert island and had only the Bible to guide us, would we be living the same way we are now? I agree with Mr. Phillips, with one caveat: it’s not enough to imagine living on a desert island. We need amnesia, too. Our culture, our family background, and our personal experiences all influence our beliefs–for good or for ill. When we read the Bible, are we allowing it to shape and change us, or do we come with preconceived notions about what God is saying?

We’ve probably all heard the old story of the newlywed woman who cut off both ends of a roast before placing it in the roasting pan. When her husband asked her why she cooked it that way she replied, “Because my mother does it this way!” When the woman asked her mom why she had always cut off both ends the mother replied, “This is how grandma always prepared her roast!” When grandma was consulted she laughed. “You’re still doing that? I always cut off both ends because my roasting pan was too small!” How many of my choices are because “that’s the way we’ve always done it”? Am I living contemplatively before God, intentionally conforming every facet of my life to His Word?

It is frightening to view our whole life under the lens of the Word of God. What does the Bible say about how I am to live with my husband? About how I am raising my kids? About my role in my family and in society? About how I spend my money? About taking up my cross and following Christ?

Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The world is always beckoning us to conform. But by God’s grace, I want to be transformed as He renews my mind through His Word.

Comments

  1. Hey Molly! I am new to Blogging and having fun so far! About the Grocery Game . . . I did it for several months, but now just do it myself. I couldn’t justify paying for 4 stores – and I shop at all 4 – so I just do the research myself and have really enjoyed “couponing”!

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