Internal Unfolding

Whoever you are, you’re changing. Whether a young child, teenager, middle aged person or a senior citizen. What’s more, we live in a society that’s constantly shifting, stretching, bending, moving—nothing remains the same. Much like the metamorphosis of a butterfly. For some of us, we rebel against intrusion, resisting being overhauled. For others, switching gears is no big deal. Remarkably, Jesus accepts us as we are; but, loves us ‘far beyond comprehension’ to leave us that way.

More remarkably, when we open up to invasive transformation, He occupies the recesses of our inmost being. Slowly, we begin to notice wonderful things happening as He fashions His heart and mind with our hearts and minds. We start thinking differently and responding with patient kindness. The apostle Paul described it this way:

“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God’s good, acceptable to him and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2 Phillips).

We see in this passage how Paul exhorted Christians to change radically in their inner character, condition and nature. He taught Christ-followers not to be conformed either inwardly or in appearance, to the values, ideals and behavior of the sin-sick world. Rather, they should continually renew their minds through prayer, studying God’s Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit “We are transformed in ever-increasing splendor into his own image, and this is the work of the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18 Phillips).

Naturally, during the time you were conceived, your cell structure shaped your total being. Though we are surrounded and swept along by outer changes, we must strive to guard our hearts and thoughts. Then, our authentic selves emerge as a result of internal unfolding. It comes about due to a vibrant living relationship with God “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

Oh, Father, thank you for not leaving us the way we are. Cause us to grow more and more into Your likeness. May we blossom into the creative energy force that we are designed to become and impact those around us for your glory. Amen.