Be Transformed

Meditation

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

(Romans 12:2)

This is an area where many have fallen short. I know that when I was a child, I had a good start at what it meant to be a Christian. I had godly grandparents who saw to my early Christian experience. They took us to church every Sunday, to the Wednesday night meetings, and to Vacation Bible School every summer. When we moved away from them, I chose not to continue to seek any kind of relationship with Jesus. My parents didn’t push me, but it was my decision not to go to church anymore. I joined the world, you might say. I turned my back on everything I learned in my Sunday School classes, which was a lot as I think back on it. I looked around at the other teens around me and thought they looked like they were having fun. So, I went along, thinking I was having fun too.

I wanted nothing to do with religion in general and Christians in particular. It was that way from the time I was twelve until I was forty-four. During that time, I became a person I don’t even like to think about anymore. I was wicked and worldly. I was pretty much out for number one, and I was the one. When I was single, I partied at every opportunity. I had many relationships with women, some of whom I can’t even name today. I was selfishly out for my own pleasure. I worked hard to provide for my family, but it was more a matter of my own pride than putting them first. I am terribly ashamed to share what I was like back then. I only do so to prove any life can be turned around.

On an evening in late October in 1998, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart through the words of an evangelist. I was convicted of my sins on that night, and I was a weeping mess as I humbly came before the Lord. God changed me. He touched my heart in a way that I remembered feeling when I was ten or eleven. I absolutely felt his love like I did back then. God placed in my heart the burning desire to know your Word, and to share it with everyone I know. I know that his will for my life is to keep doing that for whatever time I have left in this lifetime. I am in the twilight part of life, too old to go back to college or for missionary journeys. So, I spend my days in study and writing. I hope if you read this and think you’re too far gone, think again.

Prayer Time

Father God, we praise and glorify your name. Because you love and care for us, we have hope for our future. Guided by your Spirit, we can live a full life, following the plan you have set before us. When we keep our focus on following the example given by Jesus, we can avoid the dangers of this age. There are so many ways we can fall away from following in your perfect will. Please, dear Lord, give us a daily reminder to be led by the words of scripture. It’s in study of your Word and fellowship with other believers, where we’ll find the only real solace. Help us to receive the words you’ve given us in scripture into our hearts and minds. Change us, Lord, to become your hands and feet while we’re here. Help us to see the needs around us and be the person who finds a way to cheerfully meet those needs. It’s your will for our lives to help those less fortunate than us and spread your message of love to a world full of hate and indifference. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!