Reconceptualize

By Pastor Angel Weasel

Don’t let this word intimidate you, for within the spaces of its letters lay untold freedom in your circumstances and unlimited potential for growth.

But what does reconceptualize even mean? The dictionary certainly doesn’t do it justice. 

Picture a kaleidoscope. Most of us are familiar with the fairly inexpensive child’s toy.  With its simple design and limited function, truly its only appeal is the endless reflections of the same material displayed in a different pattern; the beauty of which is most extravagantly displayed when exposed to light. 

Oftentimes our desire for growth is met with an expectation of a change in our circumstances or the addition of new resources—be it relational or material. More money, a new job, a budding romance, or a long overdue and heartfelt apology from the one who hurt you, but can I be so bold as to challenge you in 2021 to forget all of that?

Can I challenge you to surrender all of that and anything else that might try and seduce you into shackling your present peace or future joy to anything other than our Rock and Redeemer, Jesus Christ? 

The endless beauty of the kaleidoscope does not rely on the addition of new resources, it simply needs to be directed toward the light in order for what was already there to be seen in a new way. Simply put, reconceptualizing isn't about changing what’s already there, but rather directing it toward the light so that God can show you something new; a truth, a promise, a revelation of His character (or yours). 

Reconceptualizing is not a new-age therapy term. It’s the biblical principle that Paul refers to as renewing your mind in Romans 12:2.

“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you,[a] but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” - Romans 12:2 TPT

This only happens through absolute surrender. It’s the constant surrender of your rights, your feelings, your judgments, and ultimately your truths. The removal of all of those things will leave you feeling vulnerable—and that’s okay.

You aren’t being asked to surrender these things to an untrustworthy source but to the only One truly capable of giving you the eyes to see what was there all along in a new way. Darkness is only cast out by light. (1 John 1:5)

As you begin to bring those stagnant areas, the painful past, the stubborn habits, and defeating cycles out of the darkness of your own reasoning and into the light of His truth, slowly but surely you begin to teach each thought associated with those areas to line up with the word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5) This is where freedom begins, it’s also where freedom is grown and inevitably sent forth. This is what you were created for. (Galatians 5:1)

So, no matter what material you’re starting with, expose it to the light and see the extravagant beauty that the Lord has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Challenge:

In your prayer time today, look at your stagnant areas, stubborn habits, and recurring challenges. Ask God to reveal to you what you see as nothing but a dead end. Write these things down, then pray over them, and research God’s Word to hear and read what He has to say about them. Allow them to be exposed to the light, that God may show you