A devotional thought from a pair of mouth retainers?

Recently, I've been pondering the verse, Romans 2:12, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Earlier this week, I met with an orthodontist to have new retainers created to replace my old ones that were slowly breaking down. I only wear the retainers at night, so I did not realize the slow breakdown of the old retainers was actually allowing my teeth to slowly move from the position the braces had placed them years ago.

Well, I didn't realize THAT IS until my new retainers were placed onto my teeth this week.

Ouch!

The new retainers totally disrupted my first night of sleep. I could literally feel my teeth slowly moving. Needing to get these teeth back into the correct positions, I decided to keep the retainers in my mouth the next couple of days. Slowly, the pain began to ease. Now, at day 3, there is little pain..just a slight tenderness on the gums.

I am really surprised that my teeth had moved THAT MUCH.

To the eye, they looked the same.

As I ate, I never noticed any issues.

That is when this verse in Romans really started to stick into my head.

Like the retainers, I must remember that I need to keep myself fastened into God's word, DAILY! The Bible is the "retainer" that keeps my mind anchored in Him and living in His direction for life. Without, I will begin to shift from the place He has positioned me in Him...slowly...unnoticed by others or even me...I will drift away farther from Him.

Romans 2:12, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."