Transformation

CHANGE

Change - (v.) to transform or convert

What do we think of when we hear the word change?

A lot of us tend to think some pretty negative thoughts, and rightfully so. Going through life, we experience change time and time again, and needless to say, it isn't always pleasant. Many times it rips us right out of our comfort bubbles and tosses us in the midst of something we've never before encountered.

Regardless, it's just one of those things that is inevitable as we move forward.The key though, is to keep moving forward and quit running away from it. Running doesn't make it stop, in case you haven't figured that much out.

This year, for me, is going to be a year of change. I spent New Year's in the car on my way back from Colorado (which was incredible beyond belief) and I thought over the possibilities of the coming 12 months. It's my last semester at Texas State, my last 6 months in San Marcos, time to look for a new job in my career field, etc. I even came out of a relationship at the start of the year. My best friend and I have been working on a study in becoming the women that Christ has called us to be. There is significant transformation to be done there. Of course it is going to be a year of change.

At my church, we've also been going through a series on change. It has been such an encouragement to me, as I was coming into this year with these intentions. The thing is, change takes risk. It is uncertain what a change will bring. What we can rest assured in though is that God has our best interest in mind, and when He's leading that change, it will greatly benefit us.

"I am Yours, Do what you wish. I am Yours, I am Yours and I know this. Whatever happens next is in Your hands, in Your plans, and nothing less." -The Rocket Summer

I hear those lyrics and I can't help but feel them stirring up this indescribable joy, this passion in my heart. To surrender yourself like that to the Lord, to give your everything to Him, it's such an amazing, scary, incredible thing. No, you don't know where He's taking you all of the time, or why, but what you can trust is that He knows and when you're following Him, you're bringing glory to Him and praising Him in the greatest way possible. And to trust that what is happening to you and inside of you is in His plan for you, and nothing less. That is amazing.

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." -Romans 12:1-2

So if this is "truly the way to worship Him," what are we waiting for? What do you need to change? What are you scared of? Why aren't you pursuing Him with everything you have? Be transformed by the Lord. Be who He has created you to be. Change - no longer conforming to the people of this world and their unholy ways.

"For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image." -2 Corinthians 3:17-18

To me, it is crazy to think that through the right changes, we are made more and more like Him. What more could you want? To know God's will, to become the person He created you to be. Personally... I am STOKED!