What's Your Pattern ?

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Erin is blond and blue-eyed, the tender age of 26. She was born in Canada, and grew up in Minnesota and Kansas City, the All-American girl. She was accepted at the only two colleges she wanted to attend, Stanford and Duke. She had always loved Duke, but felt God wanted her to go to Stanford. She played soccer there, and graduated with a biology degree. She had thought about medicine, and with a degree from Stanford, she was set. She could write her own ticket anywhere.

Paul says we shouldn't conform to the pattern of this world. Some of that is obvious; it's about how we act. But Paul is also talking about how we live. Do we spend as much time with God and His work as we do surfing the net, on our favorite team or hobby? Is the rat race of work, hobby, work, vacation, retirement what God wants for each of us? If the narrow path is traveled by few, why are so many taking the wide road ?

Erin, armed with a biology degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the world, decided to teach Spanish at a Christian school. There she could impact kid's lives for God. Mostly, it allowed her to spend the summers on the missions field, ministering to children , leading trips, and showing people God's love. Now, she lives in another country, working fulltime for the Lord.

The world thought she could have had it all. She knew she already did.