“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.” -Romans 12:2

The good life comes from a life of total worship, a life built in response to God’s love. And one way we do this is through engagement.

Engagement is what brings us closer to God, like fellowship, study, prayer, worship, and creating beauty for his kingdom. You may have said, “Someday I’m going to do that.” But because you haven’t learned the rhythm of abstinence (which we talked about yesterday), you haven’t come to a place where you’ve been able to accomplish it. Engagement in positive activities happens when paired with abstinence.

So, “be no longer conformed to the pattern of this world” – that’s abstinence. But, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you can know God’s pleasing good and perfect will” – that’s engagement. And this rhythm is fundamental to spiritual formation. Abstain from the things that kill us and take us further from God to leave more time and energy for the things that nourish our souls and bring us closer to our Father’s love.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, draw me away from time-wasters and life-diminishers and toward those soul-nourishing things that bring me closer to you. Amen.

REFLECTION: What are the things that you do that bring you closer to God?