Breaking Patterns

“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

A pattern is a model designed as a guide; a repeated habit built by our thought process. The writer of Hebrews instructs us not to be conformed by the pattern, the habits built by the thought process of this world, but to renew our mind (will, thoughts, and emotions) through the Word of God.
In contrast, our pattern as Kingdom citizens, is that of Heaven – acknowledging Him and the work of the Holy Spirit within us, not our own understanding. This renewed mind can test and experience God’s highest for us. 

Jesus understood we needed to break off from the pattern of this world. So much that his main message in the Gospel is: “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking… seek God's purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2 AMP) Repent means to change your direction. – If you were going one way, go the other way!
Repentance is the beginning of our Christian life breaking patterns, from death to life – How glorious! Now, we are in this world, but we are not of this world, and if we are not careful, it becomes easy to start fitting in the mould of this world…it’s easy to conform to an old pattern.

Take the children of Israel as an example. It took them 40 years to travel the distance to the Promised Land because they were conformed to patterns of disobedience, fear and rebellion; that distance was meant to be traveled in only 11 days. That’s insane! Truth is, they had a slave mindset in the desert, not a children of God mindset. And though we cannot argue that their needs were well taken care of by God – they got manna every day and their clothes never wore out – we must admit that wondering in the desert for 40 years was not God’s perfect will for them. They were meant to experience freedom, not bondage; abundance, not just provision. They did not experience God’s highest because of the patterns they were conformed to.

So often we underestimate the importance of the small decisions we take on a daily basis. To shift a plane’s direction, it only takes a few degrees of adjustment to end up in a completely different place. The smallest of changes in the right direction can guide your life to a very different destination. So, next time you meditate in the Word of God and pray, remember, you are not just doing a little thing, there is power in the name of Jesus!
Power to change the way you think, to break strongholds in your mind, and to take you exactly where He wants you to be. 

Break the cycle, start new habits, change the pattern, and don’t be afraid to take the steps that lead you to His perfect will for your life.