Change is constant. Even within scripture change is thematic; name changes- Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter. Physical changes: the blind can see; the lame can walk; what was dead is now alive! Even Jesus leaves his throne in the spirit world to live as a human. Change is constant, even it seems, for the divine.
Radical change occurs throughout scripture and throughout life. Have you seen it?
One average Sunday morning I witnessed the beginning of radical change. I met a lady after worship services, a former Wiccan. Her face was ruddy. Her light brown hair looked dry and brittle and wildly encircled her small frame. Her black skirt and dark purple shirt made her appear tiny, and her ridgid movements during the required get-to-know-the-visitor handshakes were quite awkward. Her eyes were hollow black and shifted around nervously seeking out a quick escape from the smiling, curious Christians surrounding her. Her face told a story of years seeking for life and love in the wrongest of places. Nevertheless, here she was in our little church building after being invited by a friend she met randomly at a Target.
Over the next few weeks, I saw her at every worship service. She started coming to bible study on Tuesday mornings. She carried a tattered bible and rarely looked up from the pages. She began to soften. She began to ask questions. She began to transform.
Months later she was unregonizable. Her countenance lifted, he face softened, and a lovely smile created laugh lines around her brightened eyes. There was a light coming from within her now; there was a visible hope glowing inside her, and she lit the room up with her new found magic. She had found truth. She found Jesus.
From Wiccan to Christian is extreme. It is a change that I’ll never forget witnessing. Yet, God is calling all of us to change every day. Our changes may not be as visible as my friend, but God IS calling you to transform. He desires to make us all a new creation. His desire is for our daily lives to reflect the fruits of His spirit -love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentelness, and self-control. Does anyone reading have all those fruits down to perfection yet? I didn’t think so.
Christ simply desires a willing heart that is ready for transformation.
He wants you to admit that you still need transformation.
1. Has their been a time in your life where you have witnessed transformation within you or someone else? How did you see God working then? Are there days that come when you feel numb to God’s call; days when scripture no longer touches your heart? Does transformation seem to be a distant past memory?
Read this:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh”. -Ezekiel 36:26
2. God longs to continually refine you. He longs to give you a soft open heart. And guess what, Christians never retire from daily seeking the will of God. There simply are no finished Christians walking this earth. He is not done with you till your family puts you in the ground, friend. Spend a brief time this morning asking for God to reveal how He wants to transform you into His likeness. Ask Him what He wants you to learn today, just today. Which spiritual fruit should you be working to improve? Did one jump out at you this morning? Did it sting a bit?… that might be the one.
3. Allow yourself to work toward transformation daily. Change takes time. Forgive yourself. God will. Don’t give up. Don’t retire from transformation. Reawaken your heart to seek Him.
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” -Revelation 21:5
Go ahead. Write it down. He is making everything new…even you.
Caryn Blanchard Blog 