By Ava Pennington—

I’ve heard it said that when you move from a cold climate to a warm one, your blood thins. I can attest to the fact that fifty degrees in New York feels warm. But after fifteen years in Florida, when it’s fifty degrees, even adopted Floridians require a coat and scarf!

The experts tell us blood doesn’t thin due to the weather.  So maybe it’s my age.  Or perhaps it’s all relative to what we’re conditioned to expect…and what we adapt to.

Problem is, adapting is not always a good thing.

Remember the story of the frog in the pot? He sat in a pot of cold water and remained there even when the water was slowly brought to a boil. The frog adapted to the changing temperature until it killed him.

I, too, have sometimes adapted to my circumstances despite inherent dangers. Perhaps it was because I didn’t want to make waves. Or maybe I didn’t want to be known as one of those religious people. So I allowed my conscience to thin and adapted myself to situations I shouldn’t have pursued.

Just as the frog should have guarded himself against the incremental changes in water temperature, I need to guard myself against compromises that appear small, but are just as dangerous. After all these years, it’s far too easy for me to believe the lie that it’s okay to accept certain things because I’m older and can handle temptations that would defeat a younger person.  Instead of conforming, the answer is to submit to the Holy Spirit and be transformed.

How have you been conforming to the world?

Will you allow the Holy Spirit to transform you, instead?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV).

 

 

 

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© 2010 Martin Alan Grivjack PhotographyMartin Alan Grivjack PhotographyAva Pennington is thoroughly enjoying her second career as an author, teacher, and speaker. Originally from New York City, she relocated after a 20-year corporate career as a Human Resources executive. But don’t call her retired. In addition to writing and speaking, she teaches a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 150+ women from September through May each year.

Her newest book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, is published by Revell and endorsed by Kay Arthur, founder of Precepts Ministries International. Ava has also written articles for magazines such as Power for LivingCalled, and Christianity Today’s Today’s Christian Woman. She has been published in 25 anthologies, including 18 Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Ava is grateful for her husband, Russ, their marriage of 35+ years, and their home in south Florida. She is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations. For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com or contact her at Ava@AvaWrites.com.

One Comment

  1. 10-27-2014

    Ava, I experienced a new “wimpy-ness” when I went back to the Midwest last week. What would have been short sleeve weather when I lived there was now jacket weather. We do seem to adapt. Which is a great trait when we NEED to adapt. It allows us to be flexible to new conditions and bloom where we’re planted. But it can also cause it grow comfortable in situations that should jar us, when we’ve adapted to the apathy or sin around us rather than standing strong against it. Thanks for the good word!

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