Probably 99 times out of 100, I will choose tea over coffee. For some reason this is something many coffee drinkers take as a personal attack. Drink whatever brewed beverage you prefer, I have only my own tastebuds to contend with, but something I think we can all agree on is that it’s something that is best when it is fresh. If you try to run hot water through the grounds again, or try to reuse a tea bag, you’ll get a hot beverage that is merely an imitation of what you were actually seeking.

In much the same way, we need to be in the constant process of renewing our minds. So many people who claim the name of Christ try to get by on Sunday mornings and the Sunday schooling they received as children. It seems that as soon as they recognize that they have been saved by faith they don’t need to learn anything else.

When we have a faith like this, we are not prepared for when the hard times come. We go back to that used up tea bag hoping it will give us what we need, but it only leaves us grasping. The way of the world is to do the minimum it takes to get by. However, we have been called to do more.

Paul, in Romans 12:1-2 says this, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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.”

It's easy to fall into the old way of doing things. It’s tempting to just reuse those old coffee grounds, but we know that those things will not satisfy the needs we have. I pray that you can fight the temptation to reach for the status quo. I pray that you continue you to grow in your faith no matter how long you’ve had it.

Renew your mind.