Some of the most dramatic stories we tell in our books and movies and legends involve the transformation of a person into something entirely different. There is Beauty and the Beast, Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde, and endless science fiction stories of creatures that change shape or species. We love these stories, perhaps because we all know we need dramatic change.
The idea of living the Bible holds this prospect: that God’s word spoken into the core of our lives with power and repetition, is the way of transformation.
Some people don’t think they need God’s help to change. Just “turn over a new leaf” or dig deep and make some new resolutions. While we should respect the intent of those who want to make real changes, we should remember that true change, real transformation, can only occur when simple human willpower is overwhelmed by the power of God. We are up against the powerful deforming effects of sin and the considerable forces of evil.
No wonder we often quote Romans 12:2. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Here we have a clear two-fold option. The world (“this age”) has a definite shape or pattern—a morphe. With no divine influence or intervention we will be shaped by the world, its values, behavior patterns, and mindset. There is no such thing as indeterminacy. Every person is shaped and influenced. We will “conform” unless we are “transformed.”
The alternative is to come under the transforming influence of God. To undergo transformation. The heart of spiritual transformation is the intentional, sustained re-patterning of a person’s life after the pattern set out by God when he created human beings in his image. God is the shaper. He formed the universe by his will and word, and he intends to re-shape people who have gotten misshapen by sin. Jesus proclaimed the life-transforming power of God every time he healed twisted limbs, made the blind see, multiplied fish and bread, and called Lazarus out of the tomb.
The “renewing of your mind” Paul talks about reminds us that God’s work is restorative. God is changing things back to the way they were meant to be in the first place. “Mind” is the core of our inner lives where our motives and values reside, and where beliefs are formed and decisions are made. The very worst human biases and malice and evil are at the core, and so it takes a perpetual work of God—at the core—that makes transformation possible.
Transformation is not a method, but there are things we can do to welcome and foster the work of God in reshaping us.
First, we should set aside any superficial cliches about changed lives. It is easy to use the words of transformation. Christian leaders especially are inclined to speak easily about “changing the world.” But humility is the order of the day. Any overconfidence in ourselves will undermine the prospect of transformation. Any pride about a few behaviors changed will set us up for a fall. The one thing Jesus would not tolerate was self-righteousness.
Second, we should commit to lifelong patterns of connection with God. Scripture reading must be a continual pattern. So also prayer. We have to have faith that bit by bit we are coming under the influence of God as we read, pray, worship, serve. All good growth is incremental. Ask your kid what he or she learned in school on any given day, and the response may be “nothing,” but at the end of the school year a whole lot is learned. Education is formative. Spiritual growth is formative. You may not be able to see the growth of that tree in your backyard on any given day, but year by year the good work of growth goes on.
Third, look for opportunities for growth spurts. You may have a personal pattern for reading Scripture and meditating on it and studying it. You may listen to the Sunday sermon intently week after week looking for whatever nugget of gold you may take away. But be watching for the occasional course or seminar or conference that will give you a boost.
(to be continued)
