SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
By: Jack Guyler
Have you ever wondered why some people seem closer to God or act more Godly or spiritual than others? In other words, why do some people seem to be more mature than others? Why do some Christians seem to produce the fruit of the Spirit (love, gentleness, kindness…) while other Christians seem to remain in bondage to anger, bitterness or jealousy? Is it that some people are just calmer and more in tune with God? Or is it that some are better worshippers than others or have a better worship style than other people? I don’t think so.
While I do believe every person who follows Christ has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-19), I think it is evident that some look to or lean into the Spirit more than others. Some would say “some are more filled with the Spirit than others.” I take it to mean that some rely on the Spirit more than others.
In Romans 12 it tells us that transformation comes by the renewing of our minds. I don’t really see in the New Testament that God comes upon some people and not others or that He blesses some and not others. I think everyone who follows Christ has been given the Spirit – the same amount of the Spirit if you will. I think the renewing of our mind isn’t like a miracle that some get and others don’t. I think the renewing of our mind comes from putting things into our life such as prayer, bible study, silence, fasting, reflecting, journaling and other disciplines that help us get in tune with God and help us see what He is doing in our lives. If we remain busy with only the concerns of the world, work, watching the news, hobbies, social events, etc., then we don’t take time to create pathways to allow God to get deep down into our soul. And equally, we don’t get in touch with the God who is reaching out to touch our souls.
Too many leave spiritual growth or transformation up to chance. They are waiting for God to do something miraculous…some are waiting until they are motivated to grow…others are depending on their own will-power. The problem is, none of these are intentional or sustaining. What if God never does a miracle in your life (or at least not the way you think He will)? What if you never quite feel motivated? And what happens when your will-power runs out?
The people I know who are really growing in their faith and becoming better people (better spouses, better parents, calmer and more loving toward others, living putting others first) are people who have developed habits to rely on to grow in their faith when no miracles come, when they don’t feel motivated to do something or don’t have anymore will-power in their tank.
Most live randomly hoping that God will grow them into mature follows of Jesus. It doesn’t work that way. As James says, “we need to not only be hearers of the word of God, but doers.” We need to establish, based on our personalities, one or two habits that we can depend on daily to help ground and center us. Whatever disciplines or habits we pick, they need to help us push to the side our worries and concerns and focus in on God and his strength and healing power. Leaning into God, rather than ourselves, is the key here. As we practice these habits, we will begin to see positive changes occurring in our lives without forcing them and we will realize in the process, that it is God working in our lives and not just us trying to make something happen.
TAKE AWAY: Develop habits that allow you to lean on God rather than your own strength or wisdom.
