Transformed by the Renewing of the Mind

It is ironic, as one of my friends commented, that the number of my blog posts usually increase in the middle of a posting or near an EOPT, but dive immediately after it or when I'm in a relatively slack period of my posting (e.g. during Family Medicine). Maybe it's that blogging, as mentioned in my very first post, is cathartic for stress-relief. Maybe when I have more time, I choose to spend it doing other things, like playing computer games, watching movies/DVDs, reading, etc. But anyway, quite a lot have transpired over the past 10 days or so. Hopefully I can update more over the next few days (:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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 12:1-2

For some reason, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" keeps appearing in my head recently. Once a couple of weeks ago, once just last Monday, and once again today. And I'm still struggling to comprehend the enormity and significance of the meaning behind this 2 seemingly very loaded verses.

During a rally last Monday, the speaker used the example of some churches who do not really advocate the use of drums and electric/bass guitars during worship. So on one hand, they read Psalms 150 but on the other, frown upon the use of any instrument besides the organ and piano. We shouldn't be judgmental, bearing in mind the style of worship should be acceptable by the congregation in the context of their culture. But we have to constantly reflect whether our traditions are becoming a burden to us, getting in the way of renewal.

Just today, during singing practice, a question was asked, "Can Christians sing seemingly-Christian songs written by non-Christians?" It was then noted that a few composers of sacred music, past and present, were not actually Christian. Do we then say that we must not sing these songs? One of us shared, if I may paraphrase, "God is beyond limits. Let us not limit what He can do with our own inadequate and rigid understanding."

To sum it up, as my Pastor shared, music in itself is neutral. The distinction between sacred and secular boils down to the person who sings/plays it. A person singing 'sacred music' without the intention or heart of praising God is not worshipping. A person singing a song without any overt mention of Jesus or God, perhaps even a 'secular song' about love, but directing it towards God and praising Him, is truly worshipping. At the end of the day, it is the heart of worship, and that, is all about Jesus.

True transformation can only occur when we allow the Holy Spirit to renew, reeducate and redirect our minds. Not that we have a blanket disregard of traditions, 'conservative thinking' or rules and laws, but rather, to understand, adapt and apply the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law. (Romans 2:29)
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Quote-worthy:
Our complaints are not over the lack of necessities but the abundance of benefits. The source of our problems is our blessings.
~ Max Lucado, Six Hours, One Friday

Do our wealth and talents cause us to indulge in spiritual vanity and stand in our way of worshipping God?