Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

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. (NIV)

On April 1st of this year, four brave souls circled the moon on a mission to explore, learn, and gather more information about space and the lunar surface. The Artemis II mission put NASA back in the news, and the images they captured inspired me to consider this world in new ways.

To undertake this kind of mission, astronauts have to study the world and what lies beyond it. They analyze all its complexities from a different perspective than most of us. Through decades of discipline, training, and practice, they learn to transform themselves both mentally and physically for the unique lives they have chosen. Because of this, they will experience things that the rest of us never will.

The temptations and patterns of this world are powerful forces. They push us to look inward to our shifting feelings, down to our ever-present phones, and outward to other people, in search of a purpose. We see this every day, all around us, but do we realize it’s a hopeless journey? The world loves conformity and tries to rob us of the extraordinary beauty of a selfless, unique life, demanding that we serve ourselves first. 

However, our Creator is limitless in His imagination, and He calls us to live for something far beyond what we can see. He invites us to be transformed from the futile ways of the world. To live set apart, which might look like resting a full 24 hours a week when the world keeps hustling, resisting the urge to pass on gossip, or getting to know your barista beyond their first name. Living in generosity, humility, purity, and holiness. Living as children of the light in a corrupt generation.

He calls us to be in this world, but not of it. 

To do this, we must be willing to leave behind the easy, familiar, and comfortable ways of doing things. We must study the patterns of Jesus and allow Him to change our thinking from temporary and self-centered to eternal and others-focused. 

Astronauts spend a lifetime preparing for an adventure that is beyond this world. They’ve counted the cost and consider the sacrifice of time and effort more than worth it. When we allow our minds to be transformed in Christ, we, too, can experience an extraordinary life and live for something beyond this present world. Things the rest of the world will never experience.

Written by LeeAnn Randall