Ever seen the film Stardust? The hero, feeble, bored Tristan, travels off to the magical land where he was born, discovering his identity. When he comes back, everything’s changed. He’s walking tall. His shoulders are relaxed. He talks with confidence. Since he visited his true home, he found his true identity, and he’s become totally transformed. So, when we think about today’s verse, let’s remember how it works. People try all sorts of things to transform their minds, and some are pretty successful. Positive thinking is one – ‘I am brave, I am strong’, and so on – but, ultimately, it won’t get the job done. Mindfulness is another – being more aware of where we are, moving more slowly, and so on – but it won’t get the job done either (especially if where we are is boring, or horrible). Only knowing where you’ve come from, and who you really are, will transform your mind. Today’s verse tells us not to be conformed to this world. That implies that somewhere exists outside of this world. Somewhere else we can conform to. Our true home. And conforming to that place, wherever it is, renews our minds. That place is heaven, and it really exists – so this isn’t just about new thinking. It’s about anchoring our whole identities in another place – heaven – with our true identities as sons and daughters of a kind, powerful heavenly Father. When you know where you’re from, your mind changes forever.
What now?
Go through Romans 8 and underline as many words as you can find about your identity.