Hello @NAME,
“A Porch Conversation”
Based on Romans 12:1–21
On a warm Saturday evening, in the suburbs of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mia and her grandmother, Mama Ruth, sat on the porch drinking sweet tea, watching the last rays of the sun dropping behind the low hills across the valley. Mia was home from college and spending the summer with her grandmother but was full of questions. As they sat quietly, Mama Ruth rocked slowly in her chair with her Bible open in her lap.
Mia finally broke the silence. “Gramma, what does it really mean to live like a Christian? I mean, I believe in Jesus, but sometimes I feel like I'm just . . . existing. I don’t feel like I’m different, or like I’m making much of a difference anywhere.”
Mama Ruth looked over her glasses and smiled gently. “That’s a good question, honey. A deep one. . . . . . . . Have you ever read Romans 12?”
“I’ve read through Romans a few times, Gramma, but I guess I’ve never stopped to think about it.
“Why don’t you get your Bible, and let’s go there together.”, Mama Ruth said.
Mia went into the house and returned with her Bible.
Mama Ruth opened her Bible to the familiar page and began to read aloud:“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.
"That’s where it starts, Sweetie. Being a Romans 12 Christian means you don’t just believe in Jesus with your mind—you live for Him with your whole self.”
“A living sacrifice . . . that sounds hard. What does that even look like day to day?”, asked Mia.
“Well, it means you give up the right to live only for yourself. You say, Lord, use my time, my words, my choices, even my body—for Your glory. Every decision becomes an offering.”
Mia nodded slowly. “So, like, not just Sunday church stuff?”
“No, honey, not even close.”, she chuckled. “But Romans 12 doesn’t stop there. Listen to verse 2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
“So, we’re not supposed to just blend in?”, asked Mia.
“That’s right. The world tells you to look out for yourself, to chase success, to get even, and to do whatever makes you feel good. But when you have the “mind of Christ”, you ask, Father, what do You want me to do?”
“So, how do I renew my mind, Gramma? I mean, I’m surrounded by so much—social media and stuff at school?”
“Well, you spend time in His Word and let it shape your thinking. You pray, you Worship, and you get together with other believers who speak truth. That’s how your mind gets renewed, and you begin to see what God wants, not just what feels good.” She read on: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
“So, the more I let God change how I think, then the more I’ll recognize His will in my life?”
“That’s right, child. Look at verses 9–10,” Gramma Ruth said. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Paul’s talking about how we treat others. So, being a Romans 12 Christian means you genuinely love people. No fake smiles or polite greetings—but real, selfless, sacrificial love. And you honor others, not just the ones who are easy to love.’’
“But what about when people are rude or even cruel to you, Gramma?”
“He covers that too. He says, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
“That’s hard to do, Gramma.”
“Yes, it is, Mia, but it’s what Christ did. When Jesus was mocked, He didn’t fight back. He forgave. To be a Romans 12 Christian, we need to show that same kind of grace.”
Mia leaned back, quiet for a while. “Gramma, I want to live like that… but I’m not sure I always can. I get mad, and I want to speak up when someone wrongs me.”
“I know what you mean, child. Even I have times like that, that’s why we need the Holy Spirit. We’re not meant to do this on our own strength, that’s why Paul wrote: Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. This world is dark, honey, but God called us to shine light, not to mirror the darkness back. He knows you’ll fail sometimes—but His mercy is new every morning.”
“So, I need to surrender to God, think differently than the world does, love people honestly, and repay evil with kindness?”, asked Mia.
“That’s it. It’s not a one-time thing though. It’s a daily choice. It’s worship through life.”
Mia sat still, taking it all in. The cicadas buzzed in the background. She felt the weight and the beauty of it. “Gramma… will you help me memorize Romans 12 this summer?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”, quipped Gramma Ruth.
My challenge: Will you memorize Romans 12 and work to put what you read into your everyday walk with Him? Just think. If believers committed to that challenge, what a difference we could make in the world at large.
Ed Johanson © 7/14/2025 Key Romans 12 Themes:
- Sacrifice (v.1): Complete surrender
- Renewed mind (v.2): Living counter to culture
- Love & humility (vv.9–10)
- Blessing enemies (v.14)
- Overcoming evil with good (v.21)