Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
Posted by Orrin Woodward on March 26, 2013
The Bible states people are transformed by the renewing of their minds. The LIFE Business provides truth in the 8F’s of life to do just that. Here is an article I wrote several years back that discusses why so few people seem hungry to transform themselves. Nonetheless, I cannot think of anything else that a person can do where he can have a bigger impact than to help lead people to truth. I know the huge difference it has made in my life and many others. The LeaderShift is coming and I am so looking forward to April 16th!
Sincerely,
I can remember growing up, watching the Dallas Cowboys religiously every Sunday afternoon. I watched every game possible, as I was sure that my (yes, I owned them in my imagination) Cowboys played better when I cheered them on. Year after year, I supported the team, collecting the football cards, studying all the statistics, and buying every football magazine to keep abreast of the latest roster developments. What was I paid for this magnificent display of loyalty you ask? Absolutely nothing, in fact, I paid out money, an item in short supply, for the joy of vicariously being part of the Tom Landry’s legendary Cowboy organization. As I grew older, my fanaticism diminished slightly, but even as a newly married young man, with responsibilities of my own, working all week, getting my MBA at night, I still watched the games. While the game was on, in an attempt to impress my friends and family, I would predict the plays by studying the Cowboy’s formations. My fans would ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ in approval at another play predicted successfully. When the Cowboys started winning Super Bowls, Troy Aikman received a huge salary increase, Emmitt Smith hit the pay dirt with his new contract, and so did Michael Irvin, but I, on the other hand, was still busted, offered no loyalty bonus as the Cowboys biggest fan (Ok, I had plenty of competition here). There are times in a person’s life, just a few, where truth whispers to you, not quite audible, but distinctly there. Most choose to ignore it, changing the channel on the TV, turning up the radio, or grabbing another beer, which is what I tried to do, but I couldn’t shake it. Eventually, the whisper turned into a roar, it blared in my mind, consuming my thoughts, making me nauseous, unable to enjoy the game, so I walked into the another room to think. Many question arose in my mind. Why was I spending so much time watching other people win in life, while I plodded along in anonymity. Why is my life seemingly incomplete, unless I catch the latest game? Is this huge time commitment really taking me where I want to go in life?
Thankfully, I had parents who had taught me the American Dream, the belief in our country and the ability for anyone willing, to accomplish anything that they set their heart and mind to do. I had, only months before, been introduced to a community building business, and had started reading and listening to grow myself. That day, I made a decision to stop watching other people’s success and start creating my own success. Through God’s grace, a loving wife, hard work, and great friendships developed along the way, Laurie and I converted the hours spent watching sports into the hours necessary to build our business, eventually leaving our jobs, freeing up lots of time. Over the years, I have seen many other people, faced with the same time challenges, make different decisions, choosing the sports teams success over their own success. If that is what someone wants to do, then more power to them, as I believe in freedom that strongly. But I knew, that many of my friends, really wanted to win, but didn’t seem capable of overcoming the inertia of their LazyBoy chair to get into action. They wanted to win, would have loved the results of winning, but never seemed to do what it takes to be a champion. This success paradox puzzled me for years. But as a leader, I focused on serving those who were ready to change, while loving and encouraging the rest of the community who weren’t ready to make that level of commitment to success, hoping that eventually they would come around.
Several days ago, while contemplating why nearly everyone loves sports excellence, yet only a few love personal excellence, I had an epiphany, finally answering the success paradox. The more I thought about it, the stronger I feel that my hypothesis, for why more people don’t pursue personal success, will stand the scrutiny of reason and time. I believe human beings are designed to win, being hard wired to strive for excellence in life, but, due to man’s fallen nature, the wires are crossed, being misconnected at birth. People do not strive for success because they believe they are unworthy and incapable of winning, so they seek out victories vicariously through people, teams, or bands that are winning around them. Here is how the Bible explains the consequences of man’s violations of God’s law and the subsequent fall from grace, Genesis 3:18/19 reads:
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.
God’s original hard wiring proceeded from dream development directly to dream accomplishment, with little struggle to bring forth results. But after man’s fall, work was brought work into the equation, forcing man and woman to work hard (thorns and thistles), enduring pain to bring children and the fruits of all labor into the world. Mankind still loved winning, but now had this alien principle, of painful labor to overcome, in order to experience victories. One cannot go from dream to victory without experiencing the struggle step, earning a living by the sweat of your brow. Thus my hypothesis, because of the faulty wiring due to the fall, people want success, but not the hard work and long hours associated with it. In an effort to obtain the results without the work, people are drawn to the perceived shortcut, living vicariously off of other people’s victories through being a fan, not a performer. In other words, people experience a feeling of success through their favorite sports team, without having to endure the level of pain and discipline needed to really win. This is the vicarious victory, the feeling of accomplishment when the team wins, sharing in the celebration, feeling part of the winning team, but conveniently skipping the pain of the process involved in becoming a winner. But the real victory in life is who people become in the dream, struggle, victory process, so by shortcutting the process, they shortcut their own personal development.
One might be thinking, if the struggle is now part of the process after the fall, why not just rewire the brain to achieve success according to the new rules of life? That is a great question, leading me to the next success thought. We are all born to win, even after the painful fall, but desperately need reprogramming from the Master programmer. Without His reprogramming, people believe that they are unworthy of greatness, believing life’s trials and tribulations beyond their ability to overcome, misunderstanding the effects of the fall, they internalize the pain, believing they are worthless, instead of allowing the pain of rebellion to lead them back to their Maker, a Maker who would reveal to them their true destiny. The truth is that we are made in the image of God and have endless potential inside of us, accomplishing greatness when we serve our Maker and others. The reminds me of the inspiring poem written my Myra Brooks Welch called The Touch of the Master’s Hand:
It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three”,
But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its’ bow.
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone”, said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
“We just don’t understand.”
“What changed its’ worth?”
Swift came the reply.
“The Touch of the Masters Hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master’s Hand.
My dear reader, you are the the beautiful violin, having a worth beyond any asking price, lacking only the touch of the Master’s hand to accomplish your life’s purpose. Inside of each person is talents and skills beyond imagination, but unless the wires are reconnected to the new conditions of life, people will wander aimlessly, wondering why life is so hard, and their dreams seem so far away. Do not succumb to the negativity surrounding you, but search out the Master to be reprogrammed for true greatness.
But can’t you just reprogram yourself, without the need of the Master’s help? Sadly, to a certain extent, yes. But the problem is that self programmed people move through life with themselves as the center of existence. A person can become moral, hardworking, and successful financially without the master, literally becoming prideful at his own work, but can never experience true joy, unless he is one of the Master’s instruments. I have lived portions of my life in all three conditions. For a time, I believed that I was junk, acting out this faulty belief system, hurting myself and others. For a time, I believed I was the programmer, developing a pride in my professional success, while attempting to ignore my personal misery. But finally, mercifully, came the touch of the Master, and my life has never been the same since. From my vantage point, the one essential attribute, lacking in our modern world is belief. Belief, not in yourself through your own reprogramming, but a belief in the God of the universe and in his Son, the Master who touches the human hearts, changing them forever. No longer will one need to pursue victories vicariously through their favorite sports teams, movie stars or rock bands, as they will have the Master Himself, pursuing victories for Him in their lives. I still enjoy winning sports teams, but they are no longer define my life, as I have my own life to live, focusing on winning the race set before me, pressing towards my mark in life. No longer will you feel unworthy of success, because you will know that you were designed by the Master with a specific purpose in mind. No longer will you run to experience the elation of success vicariously, because you will live the Dream, Struggle, Victory process in your own life, developing into a leader so that you can serve the Master and others. Moreover, when people truly believe in themselves, they will pursue their own personal and professional excellence with as much ardor and passion as they formerly pursued their vicarious excellence? Don’t misunderstand me, I think being fans of successful people is important and I encourage my kids to have heroes, not to displace their own success, but merely as models for what is possible to those who dream, believe and achieve.
Imagine if all of sports fans, who love watching successful coaches lead their teams, chose to live a life of excellence to the same standards of excellence that they hold their sports teams up to? Can you imagine if all of the fans, fans who expect nothing less than excellence from their favorite teams, developed the same high expectations for their families and work teams? Fans that pay good money to see excellence in sporting events, will, in their personal and professional lives, no longer tolerate mediocrity, holding to the same success standards in their own lives, that they expect from their favorite sports teams? The paradox of success is solved only when we view life through a Biblical lens. Several day ago, I asked why the paradox existed. Why fans, who love excellence in competitive sports enough to pay for the right to experience it, will not apply the same standards of excellence in their own competitive professions, even though others are paying for the right to experience it. The answer to the paradox is lack of belief in themselves and their purpose in life. The are beautiful people, with amazing potential, with great passion (we can see that at every sporting event), but missing out on their purpose in life, due to the faulty wiring at birth.
As a life coach, for the last 18 years, I have mentored many people through the reprogramming process. Nothing brings greater joy to me on this earth, than having a front row seat, watching the Master hands restore a work of art to its original beauty. I used to be a fan of a sports team, a team that I had never met, spent hours of my time, never to be restored, watched other people pursue their dreams as I buried my own. Now I am called to mentor the greatest group of leaders in the world, spending hours of my time serving these masterpieces, pursuing my destiny by helping others pursue theirs. I am a blessed man already, but my dreams are even bigger. I dream of a world where all people, that are willing, can pursue excellence. I dream of a world where all people are free to pursue their God given visions. I dream of a world, where men and women have the courage to dream, the perseverance to struggle and the humbleness to be victorious, having corrected their hard wiring, by a touch of the Master’s hand, no longer afraid to become what they were called to be. God Bless, Orrin Woodward
53 Responses to “Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind”
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Chad Waters said
Awesome article Orrin!
Thanks for all the insight and facts! Lots to think about and apply as always!
Maura Galliani said
“Do not conform any longer 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 in our lives. [Romans 12:2]
… and my household was so fanatical about the Cowboys when we lived in Dallas in the 1990s that we named a cat Emmitt Smith! Sons of Liberty, we are? UNITED! Fired up!! 🙂
Ken Herman said
Thanks Orrin. Keep it coming.I can feel the strings being tightened every step of the way.
Sharon Hoffman said
Awesome post Orrin!
MARIO VEGA said
THANK YOU FOR TEACHING US THAT WE ARE A MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING, THROUGH THE MASTER’S PLAN. THANKS FOR ALL YOU TEACH US ORRIN. LIBERATOERS.
J.J. said
Ran acrossed this verse on Sunday made me think of leadershift Psalms 9:15-16
The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made: In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 Jehovah hath made himself known, he hath executed judgment: The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. ASV
With a resolve. Of
Psalms 25:15
Mine eyes are ever toward Jehovah; For he will pluck my feet out of the net. ASV
philip Brittain said
Wow, Orrin! What an incredible post! I love the poem. As the Master continues His work in my life, I am continually amazed by His grace and mercy! I’m excited to see how the Lord is working in my own life and other’s to bring the dreams into reality. The visions He has given me and others on our team are big. We will continue to be rewired for His purpose! There are so many lives that He wants to heal through this amazing community! We will do our part!
Nicholas Tzekos said
Mr. Woodward, this is the best blog of yours that I have ever read, it really speaks to me at a loud volume. Thank you
Jonathan Brandenberger said
Thank you, Orrin.
More importantly, thank you Master, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
JeanetteP said
Wow, Fantastic post Orrin!!!
John B. said
Thank you Orrin, Well said.
Elaine Mallios said
It is so important to shake off the negativity and disparagement that others around you try to place on you, from even family and close friends – it happens all the time. Faith, hope and trust in God gives me strength to fight through those who knowingly or unknowingly injure the belief in self. I believe we were made to win and renewing our mind regularly is so important.
Alex Obiden said
I absolutely love this article Orrin. It was a blessing in my life and I just want to say thanks.
Carol Miller said
Awesome post Orrin! Thank you!!
Aaron Zgud said
Thank you for this post Orrin! It came at the perfect time!
Rob Robson said
Wow, thanks so much for posting this Orrin! I am in awe at how “the touch from the Masters hand” as transformed my life. Every time I help a new person subscribe to one of the LIFE subscriptions I know that I am providing a mirror that can help them see themselves through a new, inspired view!
Scott Staley said
Great post! I feel very blessed to be in association with LIFE and TEAM. Thank you for all you do.
Jason Dames said
I dont’t even have word for this article!!! all I can say Is Wow!!!! Wow!!!! The Lord is so gracious.. Thx Orrin for the insight!!
Nate Stebbins said
This is so counter-cultural I was moved to tears reading it; not only because of my own personal journey, but also for countless others that need to hear these truths.
Thanks for being a light to this generation Orrin and thank you for pointing us to THE Light.
The Leadershift is coming
cary wisman said
Wow! What insight! One of the best things I’ve ever read. Now apply it in my life.
Heidi said
Orrin, I think that is amazing insight into your heart and motivation for leading a community. I have never once seen you falter in your character and integrity. I have never heard or read one word in any speech, book, audio, blog article, email, or personal conversation by you that has strayed from a straight line of integrity. There may be hard truths that people don’t want to hear, but it would still be the truth, nevertheless. And perhaps even more importantly, I have never observed one action in the last decade that has contradicted any of those words. There may be those who choose to live differently, slandering a good man and the good he is doing, derailing some good people who don’t have the discernment to figure out truth from fiction – but when you are doing the Father’s work, I guess we should always expect opposition in the sinful world you described above. Perhaps the liars are the people you described in this article…afraid of hard work to become truly excellent, and even more afraid of the people who point it out.
Thanks for all you do.
Jessy said
Absolutely loved this. I will definitely share with my community!
Christie Simpkins said
A very moving & inspirational article. I really needed that 🙂 Thank you
Bill Eder said
Orrin: Thanks for this. Oh yes we must allow the touch of the Master. He speaks his word Jesus the way,truth,and life. Unfortunately we close our ears to him. Seek and you will find. The Master is waiting for your YES.
Jonathan Mecham said
Great post!
I remember a neighborhood barbeque some years back. Earler that week a friend from church was complaining that work demanded too much of his time and that he wished he could spend more of his time making memories with his young children.
Well, at the picnic his young son asked, “Daddy, Daddy, push me on the swing!” To which my friend responded, “In just a little while buddy.” He then continued with his enthusiastic conversation about the NFL with another friend. After a while his son returned and said, “Daddy, will you throw this ball with me?” My friend again told his son to wait, and having run out of NFL topics of conversation had transitioned to discussing college ball. A third request by his son was denied, because my friend was in the middle of a passionate explanation about several local high school football programs.
Soon it was time to leave and get the kids to bed, and my friend who earlier in the week was regretting how little time he was able to spend with his kids had blown an amazing opportunity to bond with his son… and for what… High school football!?
I stopped regularly watching sports after that day. Sure, I’ll catch a game with friends and family once in a while, but I didn’t want to be the guy glued to the tv while his family walks on egg shells not to disturb the game.
Sorry for the long reply, but it was an important lesson for me to learn and it correlated well with your post, so I thought I’d share.
Now I just need to work on the other things I allow to distract me from my priorities!
Venkat Varada said
Orrin,
Thank you for sharing this. I remember reading this back when you wrote I believe. What is striking to me is your last paragraph. Since you first wrote this how true that last paragraph still is today is anything it has been magnified. I can feel the joy you feel when your write that and what makes it special is how blessed we are that you have only intensified the response to that calling watching you today. By letting the Master’s hand continue to mold you and your obedience to it inspires many of us. I for one, feel blessed ans so excited that I am part of something so much bigger than I can fathom.
Thank you for staying steadfast in your calling and I wonder if we read this again a few years from now how blessed we will be to see and wonder God’s hand and His purpose and marvel at how small we were thinking.
God bless you and keep you. Hebrews 12:1,2.
Steve Meixner said
Great post Orrin, Really gets you thinking. I too have always been a Cowboys fan. A little longer then you though,….I was never that in depth as you were. I am glad to have been introduced to this Community and now I am chasing my own Dreams also! Thank you and keep the Posts coming, they really help me!
Steve
Kevin Hamm said
Great article Orrin,
I know some that may call it success theology. The same would interpret contentment as settling for less than our best potential and somehow call that pious. I am so glad to be connected to an organization that not only demonstrates excellence but holds the bar high and expects it of it’s members. Contentment is a frame of mind that enables us to perform our best in pursuit of our purpose and actually “DO all things through Him who strengthens us”. Thank you for proclaiming that truly Biblical principle. May God grant that we all do our best.
Kristen Seidl said
Love this Orrin! I remember reading this when it was first written. Perfect and timely, thank you 🙂
Rick Satterstrom said
Thanks for another great story and poem. I believe many are waiting for the Masters hand, but don’t help Him. I’ll keep looking for them! Fired up!
Randy Robson said
This is great. Thanks Orrin Woodward.
Vicki Mullica said
Thank you so much Orrin for this amazing post and commentary! I am in awe at how you have “hit the nail on the head” on this subject. This article, like so many of yours do, really made me think! Again… Back to PDCA for me! Your such a blessing to all of us Orrin!!! Thank you for your knowledge and love.
Greg Johnson said
Orrin,
You are right so much potential is never tapped because our self image will not allow us to believe we are worthy of anything so powerful.
If we let GOD bring us to see our potential by us seeing his our lives can be fruitful beyond belief.
Jason Halteman said
Greg,
Great point! The Bible says that we are made in the image of God. Does that mean if we have a bad self image that we are discrediting God’s design or dishonoring God himself? Never thought of that till now.
wendi witkowski Team Liberators said
Awesome blog Orrin, thank you! So inspiring!
Corey McMullin said
AMEN Brother!!!
Scott said
Great post Orrin!
The piece of this article that hit me the most was when you described “painful labor” as “alien”. I know for me fear plays a huge part in life. But after reading this I now recognize it as ” alien “.
Mike Coulter said
Orrin thanks for this great post. It explains so much. I consider myself blessed to have you as a role model. My dream is to continue to develop myself as a leader and have a significant impact in helping thousands of others do the same.
Thanks,
Mike
J & P Harteis said
This article brought tears to our eyes, Orrin! All throughout life, we can go in & out of realizing our significance, depending on circumstances! But, our Lord is bigger than any circumstance, & our goal is truly to become closer & closer to Him everyday, & to let others know of the blessed hope we have in Him! We see Him all over Laurie’s & your lives! God bless!
David Kangas said
I lose count of how many armchair quarterbacks come into work bragging about how great their team was or was not the day before as they somberly complain about going to a job they cannot stand. They expect excellence from people they may never meet but are fine with their “uncomfortable comfortness”. Thanks to LIFE I can clearly see the irony of this statement. Great post Orrin!
Eiron said
Thanks Orrin!
Steve Duba said
Thanks Orrin,great post.As I read I thought of the DVD from a MAJOR I was at last year.The Christ Centered video and cd
made an incredible change in my life.I have come to realize the progression that needs to occur on this journey.Principle
centered,Bible centered,and finally Christ centered.Together as Jan and I move through our daily lives,our focus has become
that very three step process.We are only just beginning. God Bless
Danny Michael said
Orrin,
Thanks so much for this blog post. It hit right where I needed it and right where my thoughts have been the last couple of days. I realize that I have negative self talk which is caused by me looking for significance in the world and not from God. When I was 12 I had a brain tumor that completely changed my life. Before I was a healthy, vibrant and baseball loving kid and after I was left sickly and my physical appearance changed significantly. This left me feeling bad about me for many years. I have lived to be pleasing to other people so that I made them bigger than my Savior. The sad thing is that I have let this continue to effect my life some 36 years later. Enough of the problem now I have to allow God to renew my mind to solve this. I am reading my Bible and searching for truths to apply. Pray for me and if you have any suggestions I would appreciate it.
Zoe Tatar said
Thank you for your thoughts they were a great encouragement to me.
Peggi Kern said
Great post, Orrin! Thanks for all you do.
kim Decker said
orrin,
I have so much to say on this but came to the conclusion is WOW, nut by you growing all us leaders there can only be one result. A change in the world becuase there are so many people joining in this fight for truth that we are bound to be the head of the country before you know it. What GOD has given you to share with us is PRICELESS.
Dean said
Thanks Orrin, for not just teaching but living what you teach!
Michael Rader said
Orrin,
Wow, what a great article. I joined the 1 million team journey in August of 2012. What I have learned so far and what I’m going to learn will and is priceless. This article was so true in my life as well. I was continually comparing my life to others, trying to live up to others expectations. I believe by comparing yourself to other people a false hope is established. As my journey through LIFE(HOPE)is progressing, through associating with great leaders (Joe and Erin Gregorski), reading, and listening to “life changing information” I realized this is my life and I’m the one who needs to step it up and become a leader. The Master has a plan for all of us and I know now what I been called to do.
Mike Rader
Don Schultz, Team VIP Phalanx said
Great article Orrin,
Rom. 12:1,2 says to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That is so appropos to what we do with LIFE. We help people change their thinking, their actions, habits in order to help them get better results.
The poem “The Touch of the Master’s Hand” is a great reminder for us to see “whose” we are and live accordingly. We, when we trust Jesus as our Savior, are children of the King and with His presence in us by the Holy Spirit our lives should “sound different”.
antonio rosselli said
The current human condition, generally, shows that humans place survival and the self above God … The solution is to show and demonstrate that a society really built around the word of God is the best option for human and all creation …. Ty
CJ Calvert said
Orrin, thanks for another great article that will help us each rewire our brains for success.
chris volkmann said
Thanks for another great post. The most important thing is to let the Masters hand touch your heart and let Him in Revelation 3:20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. God bless.
Juleen Ray said
Wow, God is so good!!!