Transformation:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

Paul liked to write letters, and this one in particular was written for, and addressed to, the church in Rome. We should probably ask ourselves why he would feel the need to write this. My guess is he attended a few services, or simply heard by word of mouth what they were teaching, and fired off a letter. Sort of reminds me of today.

Obviously Paul was pretty disturbed by what he saw, so much so that he says they need to be completely transformed, and then he tells them how this transformation takes place, by the renewing of the mind. If our entire universe is mental, and I believe that it is, then it just makes sense that changes in mind equal changes in reality.

“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” (The Kybalion, by Three Initiates.)

Recently my wife and I watched a documentary on one of our favorite bands from the 80’s and 90’s, INXS. The title was “Mystify: Michael Hutchence”. In this documentary, the director does a great job of showing the complete transformation of the band’s lead singer, a transformation caused by the changes that happened in his mind.

If you’re not familiar, Michael Hutchence (Front Man of INXS) was always a very joyful, happy and soulful person who enjoyed living life to the fullest. The documentary showed how he would lift everyone up just by being himself. He elevated the atmosphere in any room. He made you feel better about yourself. Just by simply sharing space with him, he raised you to his level. Always smiling, singing, dancing, full of positive energy.

But that all changed when he was hit by a taxi driver in Europe causing two areas of traumatic brain damage. His personality dramatically changed. He became highly aggressive, angry, short tempered and depressed. Drugs and alcohol became a real problem. This man, who seemingly had it all, eventually hung himself at the age of only 37 in a hotel room in Australia, just a few days before their world tour was to start.

He was transformed by the renewing of his mind, but not in a good way; and this is important for us to understand, it goes both ways. This whole thing is mental. Luckily the bible gives us a cheat code. “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things {Fix your minds on them}” (Philippians 4:8)

It’s our choice, we can fix our minds on whatever we choose and reality will follow; but, if we’ll do what the above verse says then “the God of peace, of untroubled and undisturbed well-being, will be with us.” (Philippians 4:9)

In love and light,

-J