Transformed

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ~ Romans 12:2

Sometimes it comes home from school, occasionally it travels from Bible class into our kitchen. It is a little bean sprout. Housed in a Dixie cup full of wet earth, it sits on our kitchen window sill. We carefully tend to it each day and watch as new growth sprouts from the top, or green leaves unfold. We check the soil, make sure it has sunlight, and marvel at the transformation that takes place as a small seed becomes a plant.

Transformation is a growth process. It moves us out of the world in farther and farther into Jesus. Transformation affects every part off the Christians life. A change in the way we think about relationships, authority, people, movies, books, television, words, standards, and purpose. It shapes our actions and our footsteps. Transformation guides our paths and lights our ways. The transformation that Jesus offers has a purpose. It takes my life, my strengths and weaknesses, my character and nature, and it changes me to reflect the light of Christ. I am being formed to look like Jesus.

Like that little bean sprout, transformation takes daily care and frequent tending. But like that little planet, the evidence of transformation can be seen every day that I take time to look. Paul’s letter to the Romans is a letter that encourages them to invest in transformation. To give their lives fully to Jesus. You see, that little bean sprout grows for a time in our kitchen, but eventually, that little sprout dies. Eyes stop watching and hands stop caring. Paul does not want that to happen to his audience. Jesus does not want that to happen in our lives. So He lovingly and persistently calls us to focus. To see His work in our lives. To experience the transformation that He offers.