Transformation

Romans 12:2 (NASB)

² 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.

God has blessed me with a gift of figuring certain people out, some before they even speak to me. I believe my experiences in my prior career helped to hone this ability to ‘read’ people.

I recently had an encounter with someone who, by all outside appearances, had it together. By looking at this person’s professional website, anyone would think “wow, what an amazing and talented person!”  But, when you look a little closer, and you have personal interaction, the truth comes out as to who a person really is deep down.

Isn’t this true for us all though?

For the world to see, we are polished and have it all together, but inside we are a broken down mess, full of petty and childish behaviors, wanting to punish others because we have been ‘victimized’ in our own minds.  

My stepmom recently came back from a mission trip to Haiti, and as I was talking to her about it, she was describing the openness of the Haitian people, how they will tell you right where they are. They don’t hide anything, and in the third world sense, have none of the junk we Americans collect in our souls.

Wouldn't it be amazing to be that transparent to everyone you meet? Someday, it will be like that for all believers, but here on this planet, we like to put a wall of protection around our lives to keep from getting hurt. This is because of the pain we are inflicted with in our lives, whether it is by the things someone has said or physically done to us, or false accusations made. Sometimes the people that hurt us are the ones who are supposed to protect us and be there for us at all times.

Truth be told, we are responsible for ourselves and our actions, and must do the things God calls us to do in order to best exemplify the Light of the World living through us. When encountering a person who is outwardly showing inner pain, the thing God calls us to do is to love that person. I honestly have a problem with this at times, because when someone has been so very ugly to me, I do not feel inclined to be overly kind to them. My sinful nature wants to say nasty things back to them, to hurt them and accuse them of things that are untrue, especially when they have done the same to me. Thankfully, I am not a child (literally or spiritually) and so I am able to refrain. I am also able to retrain (constantly working on) my thinking so that I do not even think the mean, spiteful, petty things that are in my mind.

God calls us to be in a constant state of change, so that those of us who have chosen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are growing closer to Him while here. How can you make a difference in your life to show the transformation of Christ's love in your life?