Do You Set Aside Time to Be Set Apart?

By Mrs Ashley Hines Piner

To be consecrated means to be set apart—not just from the world, but for God. Many of us are probably familiar with Romans 12:1–2 (NIV):

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. Do not conform 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. We are called not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Let’s break this down. What are some of the patterns of this world? Prevailing values, behaviors, and philosophies of worldly society are just a few examples that are contrary to God’s will. When we perform actions that glorify ourselves, seek temporary pleasures, or lean into human wisdom, we are conforming to the patterns of this world.

If these are the things we are called to be set apart from, how can we transform our minds?

The Bible gives us a clear path to follow.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Colossians 3:2 tells us to “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Galatians 5:16 reminds us to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Transformation does not usually happen overnight; it takes time, intentionality, preparation, and pursuit. If you are trying to transform a house, it will take paint, new landscaping, and maybe even knocking down a few walls. If you are trying to transform your health, you may change your diet, get more sleep, and increase your workouts.

When we desire to be consecrated—to be a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God—that also takes time. We must make time to pray, fast, read Scripture, and worship. Transformation is a journey, one in which we continually long to be closer to God in every aspect of our lives. Through this journey, we become set apart from the world. God is with us along every step of the way and a life with Him is the ultimate destination. I love what Joshua told the Israelites in Joshua 3: 6-” Concentrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Think of all of the amazing possibilities that He can do in your life.

Application: This week, I urge you to set aside intentional time to be set apart. Make space in your schedule to seek God. Set aside time to pray—you might begin a prayer journal and record how you see God answering your prayers. Set aside a day, or even just a meal, to fast this week, spending that time in the presence of God.

Set aside time to read Scripture and worship. I often like to do these together. As I listen to or write the lyrics of a hymn or worship song, I ask God to speak to me and open my eyes and heart to what He wants to say. I invite the Holy Spirit into that time of worship and ask Him to guide me through the Word, revealing what God wants to show me.

As you are doing these things, live in preparation and look for the miracles that God is performing in your life. Just as the Israelites had walked across dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River, God’s hand is at work in your life.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for the life that you speak into us! We want to use our lives to be holy and pleasing to you. Lord, please help as we create space and invite the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct us as we establish rhythms that allow us to be set apart from this world. Thank you for calling us yours and walking with us every step of the way. In your name we pray, Amen.