EVERWEST DEVOTIONAL #5 | Nonconforming

Scripture

“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.” – Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Reflection

As I was preparing to launch Everwest, I started mapping out a marketing campaign. From a worldly perspective, it made perfect sense: post on social media, build hype, start pre-sales, highlight the design, quality, and customizable features, and show people why they need Everwest gear. That’s what the world says works.

But in the middle of those plans, God called me to something different. Instead of launching with a campaign, He put on my heart to launch with a devotional. Not a call to action, not polished hooks or benefits, but testimony. A weekly reminder of what He is doing through Everwest and a chance to point people to His Word.

Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the world’s patterns but to be renewed by the Holy Spirit so we can follow God’s will. The world tells us how things should be done, but God often calls us to something entirely different. It’s the same tension we see in every part of life: the world defines success, love, and purpose one way, but God defines them in His way. The world tells us love is about self-gratification; God says love is sacrifice and service. The world tells us to build platforms; God says to build altars of obedience.

When God first pressed on my heart to start sharing a weekly devotional, I didn’t even have an operational website, let alone any idea when my product would be ready to sell. And for someone like me, someone who needs a plan, a timeline, a strategy, that felt impossible. Normally, I’d chart everything out: fourteen devotionals written means launch them fourteen weeks before product is ready. Simple math. But I had no dates, no certainty, no clear end in sight. Yet the calling was unmistakable. God wasn’t asking me to wait for clarity, He was asking me to obey.

The day I finally said yes, I sat down at my laptop and wrote fourteen devotionals in four hours. The words poured out of me, not because of my ability, but because of His goodness overflowing from everything He’s been doing in me through this Everwest journey. I still don’t know when the product will be ready, but I trust His timing and His purpose. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” That’s why He calls us to loosen our grip, to release the planning and the control, and simply follow where He leads. His purposes are always greater than our plans.

Launching with devotionals instead of marketing is my way of saying: this isn’t about me, it’s about Him. I don’t want Everwest to be built on human strategy but on God’s foundation. I can’t wait to see how He works when I get out of the way and put Him first.

Application

• Where in your life are you tempted to follow the world’s patterns instead of God’s calling?
• What would it look like to "renew your mind" in that area and trust God's way instead of your own?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that Your ways are higher than ours. Teach us not to conform to the world but to seek Your will in every decision. Help us put You first in our lives, our families, and our work, so that everything we do points back to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If there’s someone in your life who might be encouraged by this, or future devotionals, please share it with them or subscribe them here. You can also find past devotionals here.

- Jake Bunz, Founder

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