LORD, CHANGE ME

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES          by Sally Bair

Lord, change me

Weather changes can happen in minutes. Dead leaves can be blowing across the road and an hour later, they’re covered by snow. We northerners often talk about the weather. “Wow, some weather we’re having, huh?” “Think it’ll clear up in time for the ballgame?” “Looks like all of us here (at the grocery store) are stocking up before the big storm hits.” 

Other events bring change into our lives, too. Like stormy weather, some of them happen quickly: a family crisis, a wedding, a move from one locale to another. Others tend to take their time, yet still foster change in a life situation, such as learning a new skill, trying a new diet, or reading a book.

Spiritual changes come, too, usually as the result of a life-altering circumstance. After the death of a loved one, some people experience a stronger faith in God while others become angry and turn away from Him. Reading or hearing God’s Word alone can draw people to a new faith, as can the witnessing of a miracle.

God uses many ways to draw us to faith. And once believing, we are told to grow in our faith. A pastor once said, “Every day as He changes the scenery, He changes us.”

Do we want to change? Or do we avoid change of any kind? Change can be difficult when we’re most comfortable in our situation, whether it’s pleasant or not. Change means acquiring a new mind-set. The apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2 that we are to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

When we stubbornly refuse to change our ways and our thinking, we will never learn what God’s perfect will is for us. He wants to change us into His image, which is the image of Christ. Imagine Jesus being so comfortable in the company of His disciples that He refused to sacrifice Himself for our sins so we might live with Him now and forever. As pure love was His motivation to change, so love must be ours, too.

Once again, words from Paul to those of us who have turned to the Lord: “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Lord, thank You for Your Spirit who transforms us into the likeness of Jesus. Give us the desire and will and strength to be changed into His image. In Jesus’ name, amen.