Transformed

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. . . 1 Peter 1:14 

Transformed. I like the sound of that word, don’t you? Webster’s Dictionary defines it this way: to change (something) completely and usually in a good way. See what I mean? Great word. 

There’s a lot of confusion out there about being transformed. Do we do it, or does God do it? Do we wait for Him to change us, or do we change ourselves? Ultimately, we are in control of very little. But there are some things that we can control. Could our own transformation be one of those things? 

Romans 12:2 gives us perspective on these questions. This verse says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” If our personal transformation was something we have zero control over, if it was something God  alone was in charge of and we were little lumps without a will, this command would not be in Scripture. But there it is—and it’s a great reminder that our personal transformation is something we are called to actively participate in. Transformation is not a call to passivity. It’s a call to action. It’s not a call to sit back and say that we can’t do this or that and wait for God to show up to do all our spiritual work for us. 

I recently read a meme on the Internet that said, “Some things don’t need prayer, they need discipline. God already told you what to do, you’re just procrastinating.” Ouch. Did you feel that too? When we continue to call out to God when He has already given us the power to do what we need to do, it can be a sign of owning a victim mentality. A victim mentality can make us abdicate the responsibilities and power Christ has given us to live an overcoming life. 

When God made the bird, He made it capable of finding its own food. Imagine if the bird were to sit in its nest and cry out, “God, please bring me food!” the bird would not be acting in accordance with how it has been created. We are the same. There are some things we can control, and some things we can’t. Our personal transformation falls into the first category as we participate in the renewing of our minds as Romans 12:2 indicates we can do. 

I don’t know about you, but this truth makes me want to shout “Hallelujah!” This means we are not victims. We are not incapable. We don’t have to wait around feeling bad about ourselves. There is power in the way we think, and we can have sinful thoughts or God thoughts and God is saying, “You have a choice. Be transformed!” 

So, choosing to be transformed is a first step, then asking ourselves what we can do to be transformed is the next step, and then finally, taking that step toward transformation is the final step. 

What step are you going to take today? 

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).