Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2 NIV

Are you familiar with the phrase “Start with why”? I first heard it in a TedTalk called How Great Leaders Inspire Action. The basic idea of “start with why” is that inspiration comes from understanding the “why” of what and how we do the things we do.  Simon Sinek says: 

“Every single person, every single organization on the planet knows WHAT they do. Some know HOW they do it… But very, very few people or organizations know WHY they do what they do.”  

Simon Sinek, How Great Leaders Inspire Action

The example he gives to illustrate his point is with Apple Computers vs. Everyone Else. 

• Everyone Else: “We make great computers. They’re beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly. Want to buy one?” (Only the “how” and the “what”.)
• Apple Computer: “In everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo. We believe in thinking differently. The way we challenge the status quo is by making our products beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly. We just happen to make great computers. Want to buy one?” (Why “first,” then “how,” then “what”.) 

What a difference, right?! The second way is about a movement and a different way of life! It’s all about a “why” that gives more meaning to my life and the actions I take. 

So, let’s take that concept and use it to answer a really critical question: As Christians, WHY do we do what/how we do? Paul had something to say about that:  

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2 NIV    

Did you catch it? Here’s the three parts:

• WHY: In view of God’s mercy
• HOW: Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 
• WHAT: 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. 

If I were to say it in my own words, it would sound like this: “My God loves me so much that he sent his only son to die for me. When I think about the magnitude of that gift, it makes me want to give my entire being to him in thanksgiving and praise.This means I begin each day by asking him to transform me into a new person through changing the way I think – less like the world and more like him.

You know what, though? There are thousands of Bible verses that can become your personal Christian why, how and what if you connect with a different verse more than this one. Find yours and share it below in the comments or email it to me at Emily@messyworship.com

P.S. I’m pretty sure God’s WHY is in John 3:16. 🙂 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am so, so, so thankful for your mercy. I do want to give you my whole being – my minutes, my breath, my words, my thoughts, my actions – all of it. I need your help. I need you to transform my mind so that I can do more of what pleases you. Let your mercy be the reason I do everything I do each day. Amen.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay