Don’t just be mindful of the company you keep, but also the environment in which you live. For better or worse, there’s life everywhere. Even if you were a hermit, your community would still impact you. It is inescapable. You cannot retreat from the world, yet, you can impact it. You can do far more than occupy or acclimate to your surroundings, you can elevate them and perhaps those around you. Is this not why we are called to be “light…harvesters…witnesses?” Therefore, “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

Think on this: What if the very home, workplace, school, neighborhood, even nation you bemoan so – merely requires you to take a long look in the mirror and tell the truth? You’re likely to realize that you’re far more culpable than you might think.

Are you “conformed to this world?” Now you might say, “No, not I…I’m nothing like them…” But, I urge you to look a bit longer in that proverbial mirror. For it is your behavior – not what you say, your sentiments or great intentions. Only by the “renewing of your mind” will you be an authentic force for good in your world. Anything less, is conforming. So, what kind of world (home, neighborhood, community, workplace, nation, etc.) do you want? The choice is yours!