This past weekend, the speaker at the men’s retreat, was a catalyst for re-thinking some things I have come to understand in the course of my journey.
- As Christ followers, it is God’s desire that we be transformed. We are not re-made, but new creatures, born again, created in His likeness.
- We are, in fact, created anew, but, we are also in the process of being transformed each day. We are, each day, becoming what we already are.
- Transformation is a process that works from the inside out. Transformation changes hearts and minds and our lives are reflect those changes on the outside.
- Transformation is the work of God. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are transformed.
- I cannot accomplish transformation by my own power working from the outside in.
- An authentic transformed life can only be discerned through an examination of one’s heart and motives. It is possible to have the appearance of transformation without inner transformation.
A nagging question in my mind (mostly because I am inclined to take charge) is how can I (see what I mean?) produce/facilitate this transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit. Another way to put it is: What must I do to be transformed? Because of my rationalistic mind-set, my answer to those questions seems to always loop back to working from the outside in. i.e. I’ll establish a regimen of study, prayer, et al. Stop doing …. and so on.
In a sermon Sunday, the speaker used a metaphor that produced a glimmer of light on the subject. The metaphor was that of sailing. As he encouraged us to toward personal revival, he called us to unfurl our sails so they will catch the wind of the Spirit and our lives will be propelled as the wind directs. YES! I thought for a moment. But then I thought, what does unfurling my sails look like in my life. What must I do to unfurl my sail? Be careful or I’ll be back in my “I’ll just get it done mode.”
I continue to ponder the question, “What is it that shapes me in such a way that I will catch the wind of the Spirit so that God directs and empowers my life?”