Transformed
In Romans 12, verses 1 and 2, we are admonished to be transformed instead of being conformed. Conform means to be pressed into a mold. It is a mindset, or paradigm, that is forced upon us by the given status quo. The paradigm of our day is a functional one. The emphasis is on accomplishment, job titles and agendas. We live by the clock and find our value in our usefulness and function.
Instead of being conformed to this identity, or mindset, we are to be transformed into the person God as destined us to be. The paradigm that God desires us to have is a relational one. A functional paradigm creates competition, jealousy and loneliness. God takes the solitary and places them in a family. He said that it wasn’t good that a man remain alone. As we give ourselves to Him, He transforms us from being independent to living in a community, from suspicion to trust and from self-gratification to loving others as we love ourselves. God created us to be human beings, not human doings.
Transition involves a crisis and process. There is an initial thrust into a new way of living, which is then accompanied by progressively being changed. The Chinese word for crisis is a combination of two words: danger and opportunity. There is both fear and expectancy in change. I used to think that change was difficult for just the elderly, but over the course of my ministry I have found that change is difficult for everyone. For one to be motivated to change, the benefits must over rule the discomfort. The consequences of not changing must be seen as more undesirable that the pain in being transformed.
Paul said that as we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds we will experience the good and perfect will of God. That’s enough motivation for me. Our discovering God’s plan for our lives is conditional to embracing the crisis and process of change. It may be difficult to let go of our own selfish ways, but God has so much more for us as we learn to trust Him with our life.
Scriptures to meditate on: Romans 12.1-2; Psalms 68.6; Genesis 2.18; Philippians 3.13; II Corinthians 5.17;