Transformer or Conformer

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18

When I was a kid we had the original Transformers. They were robot toys that turned into cars or boats and they even had their own Saturday morning cartoon. The Transformers of the eighties were not as flashy or exciting or even as realistic as the Transformers of the 21st Century, but the premise was pretty much the same: Robots that can transform their bodies into something completely different from their original form.

Transformation is constantly happening in each of us. We are all, Christian and not-yet-Christian, in a state of transformation. We are either being transformed by the Spirit of Christ into the image of the One Who saved us or we are being transformed by the world which condemned Him.

For Christians, the transformation which takes place in each of us through Christ’s spirit is similar to how the Transformers twist and turn themselves into a new creation, only we transform from the inside out. When a Transformer changes shape, it does so because it needs to transform its shape to overcome the obstacle it is facing. The same is true for each of us in Christ. Our spirits are constantly being transformed to be more and more like Christ so that as we face new challenges, we can reflect the image of Christ to the world.

Unlike the Transformers, we may not be able to see at first glance who the Spirit of Christ is transforming, but we will know by the reflection of each person’s actions in love, peace, joy, hope and generosity that he or she is being transformed by Christ.

Similar to a transforming Christian, a person who is being transformed by the world may not be recognizable when you first see him or her, but the actions of that person will reflect the attitude and values of the world which is shaping him or her.

Transformation is happening all of the time. Each of us is shaped by experiences, trials, successes and failures. How our spirits chose to be transformed by the peaks and valleys of life will determine if we are being transformed by the Spirit of Christ or being conformed to the ways of the world.

You have a choice to either be a transformer for Jesus or a conformer for the world. Only you can decide which transformation you will make.

Scripture

2 Corinthians 3

Quote of the Day

“The Holy Spirit is God at work—creating, speaking, transforming us, living within us, working in us.”

Michael Morrison

Question of the Day

How can you better reflect the Holy Spirit to the people you see today?

Taking off the Mask

Halloween is a time for dressing up as someone else. Maybe you were a favorite TV character or a sports guy; maybe you dressed up like a princess or a witch. Whoever you chose to be is likely someone you wish you could be - even if only for one night.

Halloween is just one day of the year, but all too often we are wearing masks in our lives. We put on the masks of the people others want us to be or who we think we should be to be a part of a group or a clique. What mask are you hiding behind?

Are you afraid to show who you truly are because you fear that those around you will not like you or accept you? Are you afraid that you won't be good enough or smart enough; cool enough or wealthy enough? Or are you afraid that you is not enough?

Maybe you are afraid that you are not enough for even yourself...

Masks are a very tempting accessory. They come in all shapes and sizes - - some masks come in the form of sarcastic remarks about another student and some masks are about having the right clothes. Some masks are about being the "jock" while others are about being the teacher's pet. Some wear masks that hide them in a corner and some where masks which thrust them in the spotlight. Regardless of the mask you wear - - no mask is truly a reflection of who you are. Masks cover and can block out the light shining from within.

The masks we wear can tug on our hearts. They can begin to twist us and shape us into different versions of ourselves - versions where the outside has little to no resemblance to what the inside once was. As safe as the mask may seem, it cannot protect you from the world; and it cannot protect you from who you are created to be.

God created you. He formed your outside as well as your inside and He called it good and beautiful.

The Creator of the Universe - - The One Who has seen all and been all anointed you as good and beautiful.

God doesn't think you need a mask - - so why do you think you need to hide behind an image you think the world wants to see?

Try facing the world with your own beautiful facing shining brightly - - Stop hiding - - you might be amazed at the joyous reaction your light will bring.

Scripture

Jeremiah 1:4-19

Fun Fact

The main reason and the only real reason for people wanting to wear masks back in the day was to conceal their identity. That is why we use the word masquerade and the word mask comes from this. It means to disguise yourself and to hide who you really are.

Question of the Day

What did you dress-up as for Halloween this year?