Sometimes we are so stuck in the mud that we can’t even believe any more that life could be any different. Beware! That’s one of the favorite messages of our enemy. The devil wants us to believe that change is not possible, that God would not take us as we are, that everything is lost. But everything is not lost! God welcomes us just as we are! And change is possible! Not on our own. But in Christ Jesus! So let’s keep on going back to God. Let’s keep on dwelling in God’s presence! Let’s keep on being changed!

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Cor. 3:16-18, MSG)

It is important to note that change is powered by the Holy Spirit. Self-help does not work. But the work of Christ is everything we need! It frees us to dwell in the presence of God Almighty. When we are in Christ our lives are slowly but surely being changed into his likeness. Change, however, is not automatic.

If we wander away from Christ our change diminish. Just like our tan fades away if we are not exposed to the sun. The same way we need to stay exposed to the light of God. Because we can’t be changed without being connected to God. And we don’t even stay alive without God. We only get stuck in the mud on our own. But thank God! Everything is not lost. We can always turn back to God!

The process of transfiguration in us happens by the Holy Spirit but it requires our consent. God does not force change on us. God does not force his love on us. Receiving grace is our choice. Even change is our choice. It does not happen by us but we need to want it. We need to want Christ. Even that is a gift from God.

But don’t worry! God adores giving you gifts! He loves you so! Just open your heart and mind to God. Every day. Dwell in God’s presence. Slowly but surely you will be becoming brighter and more beautiful as you become like him. By the grace of God you will be changed from one degree of glory to another.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for welcoming us as we are.
Thank you that change is possible in you.
We open ourselves to you.
Keep changing us into your likeness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How has God changed you?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you dwell in God and are changed into his likeness!

Photo courtesy of Esther Gibbons