As a new follower of Christ, the urge to change has grown strong. Much greater than I had imagined. Change is something most of us struggle with, but it's the most constant aspect of life. So how we navigate it's rough waters dictates much of our experience.
Perspective is key.
Getting Closer to God
As I've deepened my study of the Bible and made prayer a regular part of my day, I feel closer to God. It's wonderful. I bring everything to His feet.
This has brought many positive changes within me:
Peace
Contentment
Purpose
These have been a few of the dominant characteristics, but what I didn't see coming was how much God would begin to work on my heart & mind. As obvious as it is now, it's natural for these changes to occur, but when I started this journey I didn't see specific types of these changes coming.
Sensitivity to a culture and the entertainment we consume
My viewpoint of non-believers and the like
My perspective of Christ and His key role in humanity's salvation
It's pushed me to reevaluate A LOT.
Changing from the Inside
God works on us from within.
He lives within us, so this is natural.
But this process can be a little overwhelming. I think this is why I resisted reading the Bible for so long. It meant my interactions with the world would change. The world does not change, but our perspective does.
So every moment becomes different. It requires adjustment and disrupts our habits— things of old now appear new in a light unseen.
This work truly transforms us and makes us new.
Scripture:
Romans 12:1: I appeal to you therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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.
Ezekial 36:25-29: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.[a] 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.
2 Corinthians 3:18: And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
God Changes our Hearts and minds. I underestimated this process.
He is working to bring us into alignment with Him.
It's also just beginning.
A New Perspective
Taking the plunge into God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit transforms how we view the world.
It works in all areas.
It’s not instant at all either. It's a subtle change. Things begin to shift. It's a process we can choose to participate in.
You start to reflect on everything you know. Or at least you think you know.
It's humbling.
It's a huge reminder of how little we truly know. It’s also refreshing because there is a sense of relief knowing God will lead the way forward. You let go of more and more.
It's freeing—Terrifying but freeing.
The world looks less chaotic and more downtrodden. People, have become consumed by the world and don’t even see it.
I see it in my past, too.
The traps are all around.
Waiting to snare us and lead us away from our Home. God is our resting place. He provides all we need. Allowing Him to work on us is part of this incredible journey.
It's thrilling!
There is no greater adventure than to follow Christ and where He may lead us. The world tries to pretend it has something on God, but it does not.
God knew this. So He sent His only Son. What a blessing and miracle. If we meditate on this regularly we will be transformed.
Pray to God for His guidance.
Pray to Christ for the strength to pursue.
Pray to the Holy Ghost to always be present and outspoken.
I'm so early on this path, so new to this whole world. I'm grateful for discovering the wisdom of the Bible and all that it brings.
God gave us a roadmap for life.
My hope is more will know this in the coming days.
God is good.
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