Transformation

CAUTION – wordy blog ahead :)

My mind was captivated by two scripture passages I read this week, and I have been mulling them over since.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)

¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

¹ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

I have been thinking a lot about transformation recently and how it can occur in someone’s life.  I believe that our own personal journey and stories can have some transformational effect on others.  I know self-motivation or one’s thought process is another element in causing transformation or the lack thereof.  Circumstances, environment/surrounding, all can cause transformation.  I have been reflecting on my own personal transformation and the struggles I have been through.  I have been considering how to better be an agent of transformation and helping people realize supernatural transformation through Jesus.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary’s definition of  “transform” is a : to change in composition or structure b : to change the outward form or appearance of c : to change in character or condition

As I am considering these things, I can’t help by acknowledge my need for Jesus to transform me.  Sure, I could motivate myself to get into shape and be disciplined – I have been there and done that; having a drill sergeant yell at you all day can get you whipped into shape pretty quickly .  Or I could “choose” to have a positive thought life so as to lead a more positive life.  To borrow some lines from the movie “Happy Gilmore” – “Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.”  At the end of the day, I know there is a space that needs to be filled.

When I think about the dictionary definition, I see Jesus all over it – He is the Creator, the Healer, the Savior and the Judge.  When it comes to a “change in composition or structure” my first thought is of the caterpillar cocooning into a beautiful butterfly – now that is one serious change in composition!  You can draw so many analogies from butterfly transformation.  When it comes to “change the outward form or appearance” I think of the physical appearance of someone who has been transformed by Jesus.  I have personally encountered a night and day difference in a person’s demeanor when Jesus came into that space.  This kind of ties in with the last example of the definition “to change in character or condition.”  It is amazing and possible to see such change in someone’s life and again I have encountered people.  It is a journey nonetheless, sometimes it is a gradual change but Jesus makes it possible.

Many people criticize Christianity as a “religion” full of rules that take the fun out of life but because they haven’t taken the step to discover Jesus; not the one portrayed in movies or not even the one they hear about through a preacher on TV, or the name that is used a swear word; the Real Jesus – the one who was talked about in olden days before he even was born, the one lived among people, the one loved people and healed people, the one who was willing to die a horrible death even though He did nothing wrong, choosing to stand on the side of truth.

If only those who criticize and mock would take the time to discover the Jesus of the Bible and let the words that are “living and active – Hebrews 4:12” start to transform their hearts and the way they think. And “don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. – Romans 12:2”  I know without a doubt that when Jesus becomes a part of your heart and mind, transformation takes place and you’ll experience joy and peace; not that you won’t still face difficult, sometimes more difficult than we think we can bear, but because the way we think is now transforming through Jesus, we can have joy and peace.  You want God’s will for your life?  Let Jesus transform your thinking.  Let the Word aka the Bible penetrate even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; and let it judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart like it say is Hebrews 4.  Once we allow these transformations to occur, we will realize fun like never before; the so-called “rules” will not control your life but instead guide your life.

I had some entertainment news program on the other night while making some dinner and they introduced the author Laura Day, who recently wrote a book called “How To Rule The World From Your Couch.”  It immediately caught my attention and I stopped to listen.  I wanted to find out what tips she was going to give and whether it was going to be useful for me because she had some major celebrity endorsements.  Here’s what she writes in her “Welcome Page” of her website:

I welcome you to the Practical Intuition website. You as a human being are vastly more powerful and accomplished than you realize.  You have innate abilities, already developed, that allow you to understand yourself, others, and your environment. These abilities can help you act in ways that create joy, success and healing.  This is a place where you, the intuitive, and you, the healer, can refine and share your talents with others and gather information on the resources that will help you reach your greatest potential.

I think to myself, how can one not stop and think about the source of these human abilities she listed.  How can we deny the existence of God when clearly there is a Creator that lavished these innate abilities on us and these things didn’t just happen or evolve?

Another thing that popped into my head as I listened to Laura talk and describe her book, was my friend Greg Wingard.  He was inspired (while taking time to read the Bible, in prayer and in his journey of discovering Jesus) to put together what is now known as the “Red Bucket Strategy.”  It is scientific protocols that addresses more than 30 obstacles to creating permanent change.  The strategies have helped organizations and individuals achieve dramatic increases in sales results, customer service levels, leadership development, time management, and numerous areas of personal performance.  Some of these organizations helped include Starbucks, Jack In The Box, Aflac, Microsoft, etc.  Not too shabby array of endorsements as well.  Most importantly though is, if you were to ask Greg where he came up with these strategies, he would tell you they all came from Biblical principles.  Remember: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” and “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”?  It is all about Jesus!

What I have concluded in my lengthy winding thought process is that I need to take time to discover Jesus and allow Him and the word of God to transform my heart and mind and then I will learn to know God’s will.  I hope you will do the same.

Peace!