Transformed by Being Informed

My grandsons were big fans of the Transformers -- the toys that could be converted from a robot to a car and vice versa. It didn't come as easy for me as it did for them. I just couldn't get all the parts tucked in to transform it into a car. Those toys are literally transformed from the inside out. Isn't that what God desires to do in us? He wants us transformed from the inside out. He works with us and in us so that what is in us.....comes through us to help transform others. Not only can we be changed, but we can be the catalyst for change in others. Those toys usually come with a guide to help slow learners like me. And so it is with God’s Word, our Guide, that helps us be transformed.

A couple of days ago I blogged about how diving into God’s Word is the way to be cured for what ails us and for transforming us. People ask me what the best translation of the Bible is and my answer is “The one that you translate into your life!” That’s what Bible study is all about. Being informed to transform.

I remember when my new Bible's pages had gold edges. Oh how beautiful those edges were. But those edges are long gone. They rubbed off on me and better yet, the words inside of it have rubbed off into my mind and heart. God gave us His Word to transform us, not simply inform us. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. In other words, God wants our beliefs turned into behavior. God makes His purpose for the Bible even more explicit in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

The purpose of the Bible is more than just showing us what is wrong in our lives or how we should live. God gave us his Word to radically transform our lives. The Bible describes itself as a two-edged sword – a tool designed to make radical changes. God intends for the Bible to dramatically change our lives. The Bible also describes God’s truth as milk, water, bread, and meat. What do all those things have in common? If we don’t eat or drink them regularly, we’ll die. So it is with God's Word. We should hunger and thirst after God's Word so much so that we can't live without it. So excuse me...it's breakfast time -- I'm getting my nourishment -- physically AND spiritually. Transform me, Lord. Transform me to be more like You as I nourish on your Word today.

Subject to CHANGE Daily

I'm pulling my "female" card. Yes, I am a woman and I am subject to CHANGE daily. I can CHANGE my mind about this or that. I can CHANGE clothes – just because I want to. I can CHANGE occupations (and I did). I’m also a “single” so I can CHANGE TV channels whenever I so choose. Widow bonus! I can CHANGE directions if I want to (That gal in my GPS system really doesn’t know it all!). The fact is life is about CHANGE.

CHANGE – to alter, replace with another, make a shift from one to another, modify, transform, switch

Every day we experience CHANGE. You may be in that mid-life crisis aka “the change of life” stage if you're eyeing that slick convertible sports car. You may be considering moving to another city and state. CHANGE is a reminder of what it is for a season to end and a new one begin. How often have I witnessed the passing of a friend or loved one and within hours or days, in the same family, was the birth of a precious baby. That is the CHANGE and the cycle of life.

Here’s the really good news. God assures us He’s watching over all our seasons of CHANGE – all our entrances and exits: in exiting high school and entering college, in ending single life to begin married life, in leaving one job to begin another, in checking the "married" box to the "single" or "widow" box. Even in the animal kingdom, we see changes. A couple of days ago, I saw my grandson’s gecko shedding his skin – he was CHANGING. Bottom line -- among all the exits and entrances and all the in-betweens, life, in any form….is just temporary.

We can throw a tantrum, a pity party, a protest, a sit-in, a march, stay in bed and cover our heads, put our heads in the sand, wail, jump up and down and we can resist the CHANGES, but all the while, God probably shakes His head as He thinks “Why do my kids get so caught up on so much that is just temporary?” There is one guarantee in life…..CHANGE will happen. Change is something we tend to fear and become anxious about because we feel out of control. But we have this blessed assurance. God NEVER changes. "I am the Lord, and I do not CHANGE.” Malachi 3:6. He walks with us in every season of life -- no matter how easy or difficult. We can choose to accept CHANGE because God has a plan for our lives – to give us hope and a great future, and to prosper us. If we trust in God and allow the CHANGE to grow us to become more like Him in how we respond and act, then we are promised that “Everything will work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

God orders our days. He knows the seasons we are exiting from and He also knows those we are about to enter. It’s a new day – yesterday is gone. Why don’t we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll board His ways, we’ll travel higher, further and safer than we could ever imagine. I think I hear Him saying to us “I’ve got this so let go and let Me carry you through each CHANGE. Relax. Enjoy the ride. Trust Me!” Rather than resisting CHANGE – let’s embrace it and fly higher than we’ve ever been before!