One of the sayings I heard often growing up—but never quite understood—was, “You are what you eat.” Honestly, it still doesn’t make a lot of sense. If it were literally true, I should have turned into bacon a long time ago!
But the older I get, the more I realize there’s something deeper underneath that phrase—something worth paying attention to. Maybe a better version of it would be: “You are what you consume.” And I’m not just talking about food.
As a diabetic, I understand how important it is to be mindful of what I eat and drink. But far more impactful is what I consume with my heart, mind, and spirit. Those things shape us in powerful ways, for better or for worse.
This isn’t a new revelation for me. It’s something I’ve wrestled with and reflected on for decades. And it’s certainly not a new concept in the life of faith. The Apostle Paul puts it clearly in Romans 12: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The reality is this: we are all being shaped and formed—by someone or something. In fact, we’re being shaped and formed by a whole collection of influences. Paul’s invitation, and really his challenge, is to let Jesus and the Gospel be what shapes us most.
But if we’re honest, most of us are shaped more by our culture than by Christ. We’re influenced daily by our passions, our politics, our preferred news outlets, social media feeds, and a long list of other voices that are anything but Jesus.
Many of us spend more time with our favorite news anchor than we do in prayer, scripture, or the spiritual practices that keep us grounded in our faith.
So let me ask you:
Who or what is shaping you?
Where is the power in your life coming from?
Who—or what—is forming your heart, your mind, and your spirit?
If the answer isn’t Jesus, then we’re missing the very heart of discipleship. We’re missing the transformation that Paul talks about. The kind of renewal that doesn’t just change what we think—but changes who we are.
It’s time to ask: Where is the power?
Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Carlson, Executive Director, Preparing for Amazement Ministries
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