Renewing Your Mind

Wow, there is less than a month to go until Fellow’s graduation. This season of

life has flown by, and to reflect, I looked back on the blog post I wrote in October 2024.

The verse that was on my heart at the time (and has still been there) is Romans 12:2

NLT: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into

a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for

you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Instead of “changing the way you think”,

other translations state something along the lines of “renewing your mind.” This

truth of submitting to God to change the way I think, which ultimately leads to change in my

character, is easier said than done.

Once daily rhythms of work, Fellows events, serving, and life get established,

change becomes difficult. Checking out and going through your daily motions can lead

to days, weeks, and even months flying by without recognizing that we have a bigger

purpose here than just the mundane tasks of each day. It takes intentionality and

mental effort to be in prayer and remind myself of the truths in the Word when my flesh,

the enemy, and the world are constantly speaking lies to live a passive life.

While I have not had a one hundred percent success rate of eliminating passive

days, there have been some ways I have been able to combat them. First, maintaining

my relationship with Jesus and spending time in the Word and praying is one of the

most important aspects of my day. While this may seem like a generic answer,

consistently reading and communing with God sets my mind on the truth each day and

reminds me there is a greater purpose to each day and in every task and interaction with

others.

To support my thoughts throughout the day, I have been more mindful of the

media I am consuming. During my commute, I listen to the Becoming Something podcast or

sermons and have been working to limit my consumption of secular music. To keep my

body healthy, I have been running and training for the Pittsburgh marathon. Committing

to a race gives extra motivation and cultivates discipline to get out and train even when I do not feel like running that day.

Last, maintaining and building relationships with my Fellows cohort, family, friends from college, the congregation at St. Stephens, and at work is key to remaining active each day. God designed us for connection and to live in community and it is an amazing gift to be surrounded by others who are growing in their relationship with Jesus. When we are having a tough day or stumble, we can lean on others to help us get back to running the race. We are also there to help others back to their feet when they stumble. If I am living in the truth of loving God with all of my heart, soul, and mind and loving my neighbor as myself, it is impossible to have a passive day.

To conclude, another verse that has been sticking out to me in the past few

weeks is Philippians 4:8 NLT: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix

your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and

admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” In the process of

the renewal of my mind, the thoughts in my mind possess more of the qualities

mentioned in that verse. This continues to help me combat the lies told against me and

also mold me into being a clearer image bearer of Jesus.

Peace Out!

Matt Telarico, Class of '25

Michael Baker International