Hi Friends,
I’m going to do something different today. I’m going to share with you one of my personal “conversations” with God. The whole point to becoming born again is to be transformed from the inside out into the Image of Christ. As we grow into this likeness, peace, joy and righteousness automatically become more and more of WHO we are, and so, more and more what we experience. That IS the Abundant Life and it requires prayer, connecting TO God more and more. The goal is “pray without ceasing.” I do hope this very honest, vulnerable and transparent talk will be a huge blessing to each of you. Here’s the verse I want us to focus on:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Co 3:18 ESV
Please read the following with a willing heart and an open mind and may, only the seeds of God, implant into your hearts and grow a harvest of His goodness. Amen.
Me: I feel the frustration of others but am not sure how to get it in their hearts to simply surrender. Prayer is the only REAL solution! Connecting with You changes everything. Many people want everything outside of them to change but what is required is inward change. As we grow in You and LET You change our attitudes, then the outside stuff begins to lose its power and it really almost doesn’t matter anymore what happens. Ok, I said almost. Of course we are humans and will be affected in some way by the things that happen around us…because if we don’t, then we might be going to the other extreme where we become apathetic, which is even worse. While we are to care about the events around us, we are certainly NOT supposed to be consumed by them. Doing so can quickly turn to an obsession which takes our focus from You to the event and/or person. Our eyes need to stay on You. Our connection needs to stay with You. Our peace and joy will them come from You. This requires we surrender to You.
Yesterday is the perfect example of how You change situations by changing my attitude. I was mis-er-a-ble! Then I DECIDED to come to You…and yes, You urged me to come, You prompted me to even think about coming to You, You even woo me to come, yet I have to respond by agreeing to simply surrender and come. So I decided to come to You, then I “vomited” all over You…thank You for always listening to all the nonsense that goes on in my mind…hmmm, wait! That’s something right there, but let me finish my thought above. After I let all the garbage that was in me out, after I talked to You about all the lies and wrong feelings that were occupying my mind, and gave it all to You, I felt better. It is like when we have an upset tummy, we usually feel better after we purge it out. Afterwards, I CHOSE to surrender and You took over me and we had an awesome, productive evening. Prayer, connecting with You, made all the difference. What I really needed was NOT for You to change the people around me or anything else outside of me. What I needed was an attitude adjustment. That’s what You gave me and the rest of the day was peaceful, and kind of exciting, to be honest. I know I don’t know anything about technology so I am very grateful to everyone who records videos to teach me what I do not know, but You and I did some awesome things on the computer yesterday! I shake my head at what We accomplished! And I am so very grateful!
God: “Adjustments. But here’s the thing about them, you can’t fight Me when I’m adjusting or else you will just hurt yourself further.”
I will post more of this talk next week. The lesson I want us to take is that, one of the major ways God transforms us into His Image is by adjusting our attitudes. We were not meant to fix others or every situation, but we were always meant to live life WITH God, letting Him help us gain control over ourselves. Lord, adjust me! It is one of those prayers that will certainly present challenges in our lives, but once we gain control over that attitude, life will be more peaceful, joyful and fulfilling. That’s my experience. Won’t you join me?
Until we meet again, keep lifting your eyes to God, He’s closer than you think.
<>< Peace, Diane
