I AM A LABORATORY FOR TRANSFORMATION ALCHEMY - Part 4
In my three previous blogs in this series I have been describing elements of a change process I have identified in my own life as transformation alchemy. Transformation alchemy includes INSPIRATION + KNOWLEDGE + WONDER which God uses to move me along a path toward sanctification. Sanctification is God's term for the incremental changes He makes in me as He changes me to be more like His son, Jesus Christ.
Each element is required for transformation alchemy to occur and I do believe the order matters. The fourth and final element in the process is TRUST. As I mentioned in my previous blog, it was not until I learned about TRUST and specifically the moment to moment call to "entrusting" that I was transformed.
"Entrusting" is an active word to me. It reminds me that each moment of the day I am called to be in accord with God's plan by "entrusting" everything to Him. I have learned through many hard lessons that I cannot presume upon God, I cannot willfully construct my own plans and dreams and expect His stamp of approval. He reveals Himself to me only when I approach Him with a humble heart - sincerely desiring for union with Him. He then makes Himself strong on my behalf and cements the transformation that I cannot accomplish in my own strength.
When I looked up the definition of trust, I found out it means assured reliance on the
character - individualizing ethical traits
ability - state of being able to perform
strength - showing power to resist or endure
and truth - a transcendent spiritual reality
of someone or something.
In this context, entrusting is about constantly, moment by moment, placing my full confidence in my Heavenly Father. Modeling this concept, Jesus Christ, the visible image of invisible God, showed me just what entrusting looks like in 1 Peter 2:23, When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. Christ's suffering was undeserved, but He simply "committed Himself" to Him who judges righteously - His Heavenly Father.
Following the example of Jesus, my decision to commit myself to "TRUST by entrusting" brings me to a safe, peaceful harbor where I rest after the storms of life dissipate. A fruit of my commitment is that I am able to remain stable and sturdy under the weight and pressures that life brings. A thought that often comes to mind these days is, "This current difficult situation or circumstance will not change anything that I am doing for the pleasure of an audience of one - God!"
Meanwhile, the on-going cycle continues of INSPIRATION + KNOWLEDGE + WONDER + TRUST = causing a desire within me to aspire to CHANGE. These elements move me forward into a future shaped by God.
And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
I've been thinking about wonder...
I AM A LABORATORY FOR TRANSFORMATION ALCHEMY - Part 3
In this four-part series testifying to transformation alchemy in the context of my own life, I shared in my first blog how I gained INSPIRATION from a quote by Anne Ortlund. Once inspired, I was directed to a passage of Scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 which added KNOWLEDGE to my INSPIRATION. I learned that I must be careful how I build on the foundation laid by Jesus Christ. I learned that the works I do in this life will be tested by fire and that the only kind that will survive are the ones that are selfless acts for which I receive no reward here on earth.
After experiencing hope welling up in my soul through INSPIRATION and new energy and direction surging through my mind and heart provided by KNOWLEDGE, I remember sitting in our little Baptist church in California marveling that God had chosen me to serve Him.
The WONDER of it all wasn't so much that God could use people, He obviously could and He did, but the WONDER - intense surprise or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new in one's experience - was that He wanted to use me! This realization made my heart soar!
A vision floated into my mind that cemented the WONDER I felt:
I saw myself standing before Christ. He said to me, "What did you do with the gifts and talents I gave you?" As a young wife, I remember mumbling something about how I assisted and supported my young minister husband. Wasn't that enough? My view of myself was that my husband was the primary worker for Christ and that I was a very distant, ineffective secondary character in my own story! Jesus looked at me lovingly but I could see the disappointment in His eyes that I was missing the point. He was speaking directly to me and His message became crystal clear! He wanted me to use everything He had given me in my own direct, purposeful ministry for His glory.
The WONDER of it all caused me to bow in humble adoration and in that moment I joined the throngs through the ages that have confessed, For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Psalm 86:10
I moved on then - deep in the process of change - filled with INSPIRATION + KNOWLEDGE + WONDER guiding me along a path God designed for me. However, it was not until I learned about TRUST and specifically the moment to moment call to "entrusting" that I was forever transformed.
Stay tuned in! Next week I will explain what I mean by "entrusting" in my fourth and final blog in this series on transformation alchemy.
In this four-part series testifying to transformation alchemy in the context of my own life, I shared in my first blog how I gained INSPIRATION from a quote by Anne Ortlund. Once inspired, I was directed to a passage of Scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 which added KNOWLEDGE to my INSPIRATION. I learned that I must be careful how I build on the foundation laid by Jesus Christ. I learned that the works I do in this life will be tested by fire and that the only kind that will survive are the ones that are selfless acts for which I receive no reward here on earth.
After experiencing hope welling up in my soul through INSPIRATION and new energy and direction surging through my mind and heart provided by KNOWLEDGE, I remember sitting in our little Baptist church in California marveling that God had chosen me to serve Him.
The WONDER of it all wasn't so much that God could use people, He obviously could and He did, but the WONDER - intense surprise or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new in one's experience - was that He wanted to use me! This realization made my heart soar!
A vision floated into my mind that cemented the WONDER I felt:
I saw myself standing before Christ. He said to me, "What did you do with the gifts and talents I gave you?" As a young wife, I remember mumbling something about how I assisted and supported my young minister husband. Wasn't that enough? My view of myself was that my husband was the primary worker for Christ and that I was a very distant, ineffective secondary character in my own story! Jesus looked at me lovingly but I could see the disappointment in His eyes that I was missing the point. He was speaking directly to me and His message became crystal clear! He wanted me to use everything He had given me in my own direct, purposeful ministry for His glory.
The WONDER of it all caused me to bow in humble adoration and in that moment I joined the throngs through the ages that have confessed, For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Psalm 86:10
I moved on then - deep in the process of change - filled with INSPIRATION + KNOWLEDGE + WONDER guiding me along a path God designed for me. However, it was not until I learned about TRUST and specifically the moment to moment call to "entrusting" that I was forever transformed.
Stay tuned in! Next week I will explain what I mean by "entrusting" in my fourth and final blog in this series on transformation alchemy.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I've been thinking about knowledge...
I AM A LABORATORY FOR TRANSFORMATION ALCHEMY - Part 2
Where do I go to find knowledge? Do I seek out a wise mentor, a college professor, or an outstanding author? How about a course or a degree? And then, am I actually comfortable with entrusting my future to the opinions and guesses of men, even learned men who are worthy of my respect?
In my genuine search for knowledge, I eventually craved absolute truth - a plumb line providing crystal clear clarity and unmistakable definitions. My quest led me to the Bible and I learned that it made bold claims about being the source of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Read some of these claims for yourself:
Proverbs 2:6: For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
2 Timothy 3:16&17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:3: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.
Do you believe this? I do and my life is a living testimony!
In this series on transformation alchemy, I shared in my first blog how I gained INSPIRATION from Anne Ortlund. Anne introduced me to the idea that my mission in life is to move others toward the Savior, Jesus Christ, and then she instructed that I am to build on the foundation He provided with materials of gold, silver and precious stones.
When I looked further into Anne's reference to gold, silver and precious stones, I found even more significance. These materials are a reference to Paul's comments in 1Corinthians 3:10-15 about building appropriately so that my work survives testing by fire!
This is the Scripture that added KNOWLEDGE to my INSPIRATION:
10)Because of God''s special favor to me, I have laid a foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. (11)For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have - Jesus Christ. (12)Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. (13)But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Every one's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. (14)If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. (15)But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.
Note: Works that survive testing by fire will be selfless acts for which I receive no reward here on earth. Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1
INSPIRATION + KNOWLEDGE are elements of transformation alchemy and they move me toward permanent incremental change. They produce sanctification that works in me during my time here on earth. Each morning I can anticipate a new day, new mercies and new growth if I willingly participate.
The question remains and must be answered at the crossroads. Will I entrust my life and destiny to the opinions and guesses of others, or will I once again choose to rest in the KNOWLEDGE that the Word of God provides?
Where do I go to find knowledge? Do I seek out a wise mentor, a college professor, or an outstanding author? How about a course or a degree? And then, am I actually comfortable with entrusting my future to the opinions and guesses of men, even learned men who are worthy of my respect?
In my genuine search for knowledge, I eventually craved absolute truth - a plumb line providing crystal clear clarity and unmistakable definitions. My quest led me to the Bible and I learned that it made bold claims about being the source of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Read some of these claims for yourself:
Proverbs 2:6: For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
2 Timothy 3:16&17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:3: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.
Do you believe this? I do and my life is a living testimony!
In this series on transformation alchemy, I shared in my first blog how I gained INSPIRATION from Anne Ortlund. Anne introduced me to the idea that my mission in life is to move others toward the Savior, Jesus Christ, and then she instructed that I am to build on the foundation He provided with materials of gold, silver and precious stones.
When I looked further into Anne's reference to gold, silver and precious stones, I found even more significance. These materials are a reference to Paul's comments in 1Corinthians 3:10-15 about building appropriately so that my work survives testing by fire!
This is the Scripture that added KNOWLEDGE to my INSPIRATION:
10)Because of God''s special favor to me, I have laid a foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. (11)For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have - Jesus Christ. (12)Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. (13)But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Every one's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. (14)If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. (15)But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.
Note: Works that survive testing by fire will be selfless acts for which I receive no reward here on earth. Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1
INSPIRATION + KNOWLEDGE are elements of transformation alchemy and they move me toward permanent incremental change. They produce sanctification that works in me during my time here on earth. Each morning I can anticipate a new day, new mercies and new growth if I willingly participate.
The question remains and must be answered at the crossroads. Will I entrust my life and destiny to the opinions and guesses of others, or will I once again choose to rest in the KNOWLEDGE that the Word of God provides?
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