So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
When I chose to change the course of my life by choosing to follow Jesus, I had little idea of what that choice could involve. More challenging was the anxiety of my parents who wondered what would become of me. Their hopes for a meteoric rise to employment success and financial security were dashed once I chose to accept an invitation to work with Youth for Christ. I was excited; they were devastated.
While I thought I was in charge of my life, I had surrendered all control to God. I could take that control back, yet the price would be to delay my personal spiritual development. There were to be many such delays, born of fear, frustration and friendship with God’s enemies. However, God’s patience endured as I wrestled with my destiny.
Moving from one state to another is never easy. I think of the caterpillar changing into a butterfly, or the fertilised human egg into a baby and then ultimately an adult. There is both risk and pain, to both subject and those involved as apparent third parties. Mary changed from a child to an adult with the announcement of an angel; a mother whose heart was to be torn gazing on the crucified body of her adult son. Our human yearning to advance painlessly is a mythology. There is no growth until and unless we acknowledge the price such growth demands. Many Christian apologists misrepresent the gospel of salvation in failing to present its radical call to the path of change, a path that can never be freed from pain: physical, mental, and emotional.
QUESTION
What have been key staging posts in your growth in God?
PRAYER
Lead me on, God. I don’t want to stagnate in my faith, I want to be changed each day to more closely imitate your dear Son, Jesus.
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