Essentials for Transformation

It is said that life is a constant change and nothing is permanent not even change itself. Changed for what? Changed for the worst or changed for the better? In every human heart there is an undeniable desire for betterment. Like an ugly and destructive larva, one longs to be transformed into a beautiful and useful butterfly flying freely from flower to flower, wonderfully transformed.

The next question is: To what do you desire to be transformed? To whom are you entrusting yourself to be melded and altered?

Some changes happen instantly, some slowly. Some may take days, months, years and even a lifetime. Change undergoes a process, the process may involve some pain that ranged from mild to severe. The process may be long, tedious and laborious. It may be short and quick. The world system peddles all sorts of change but most of which is focused on the external. At its best, it is temporal, partial and superficial. On the other hand, God intends for man to be transformed. What He has in mind is focused on the internal recesses of ones being which is eternal, total and profound. A perfect make-over that emanates from the inside out.

When you choose to be transformed in the image of God, into the original image which is pure and perfect, before you were ravaged, deformed, destroyed and distorted by sin, one must bear in mind that the process of transformation requires necessary tools. Whatever the process, there are tools needed for transformation.

Oftentimes we find ourselves resisting God’s workings in our lives because we reject the tools He is using and respond negatively to them. To make matters worst, God’s work is hindered and impeded in our lives. To position ourselves for transformation we better identify these tools. These tools may inflict some unwanted pain and suffering but they are needful in the transformation process. So, what are the tools God, the Master Designer, employ to bring about the transformation He delights to get done in your life?

1. The Written Word.

There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16 MSG)

God means what He says. What He says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defence, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it-no matter what. (Hebrews 4:12-13 MSG)

God’s Word is a sure guide and contains the blueprint of our existence and what we are meant to be. One needs to read it, meditate on it, believe it and live by it. Transformation is anchored on His written word.

2. People

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). The Book of Proverbs is replete with all kinds of people. We are encouraged to choose people who will influence us for good and warned us to stay away from bad company because bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).

God brings people into our lives for different reasons. Some will encourage us, refresh us, nourish us, inspire us, counsel us, support us and make us grow. Others will frustrate us, disappoint us, brings anxiety and grief. God sometimes bring people into our lives that seem to bring more pain than joy. We can be assured that God allowed our paths to cross for important reasons beyond our grasp. As we trust God He will unfold His good purposes in these relationships.

3. Circumstance

Almost always, God brings us into circumstances that draw us closer and nearer to Him. It is in our lowest moment that God can work mightily with less opposition and resistance from us. It is clearly shown in the Holy Scripture that when we trust and love God, He alone has the power to turn unpleasant and seemingly bad situation into something beautiful.

God is not obligated to make everything clear to us nor does He owe us any explanation on what He is doing in our lives. Our present situation may be clouded with grief, it may be bombarded with troubles, it may be lambasted by pain but we can rest assured that by His grace He can work things out for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).

4. Time

God’s timetable is much different from ours. We do have some misgivings toward God because God’s calendar is not synchronized with ours. God’s definition of time is totally beyond our limited understanding. Since all power is at His disposable all we need to do is to wait on Him as He unfolds His plan in His time. We can be certain that God makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The next time you find yourself in a maze and whatever you are going through at this point in your life, let me comfort you with this borrowed lines from a song, God, the Master Designer is “too wise to be mistaken, He is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand, when you can’t trace His hand, when you can’t see His plan, trust His heart.”

By the way, what particular tool/s God is utilizing in your life right now? Every time the tool touches your life, focus on the Master Designer, yield under His sovereign hand because He tempers the intensity and severity of the whole process. Do not evade the tool because under God’s powerful hand and loving arms you will become a magnificent pristine masterpiece and will surely emerge marvelously blessed.