“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know god’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)
I grew up watching science fiction movies with my grandpa. Whenever there was a new science fiction movie out, Grandpa and I would be there in the theater together. Star Wars, Star Trek, it didn’t matter. We saw them together. That is one of my fondest memories of growing up. Not much has changed. I’m now in my forties and still love a good science fiction movie. One of my favorites in recent times has been the entire Transformer series. I know they’re cheesy and silly, but they’re fun. If you don’t know, the Transformers are aliens that can transform from one thing to another.
The word “transformed” is from the Greek word metamorphoo. That’s where we get the word metamorphosis. Whenever I think of the word metamorphosis my mind instantly goes to the imagery of a once wrinkled caterpillar emerging from its cocoon as a graceful butterfly with its wings spread wide. That’s accurate and beautiful, but let’s look at transformation in another way…
There’s a guy I know named “Harry”. When I first met Harry my impression was that Harry didn’t know Jesus and honestly, didn’t care to. He worked in an atmosphere that had a strong Christian influence, but he was there because it was his job. I didn’t know Harry that well, but it looked like he liked to enjoy life uninhibited without looking at the consequences. Eventually, Harry left his job there and I did as well. A good amount of time passed without me seeing Harry. Eventually, our paths crossed again. This time there was something different about him. He was on fire for Jesus. A friend of his invited him to church one Sunday and he went. That day the Holy Spirit got ahold of him and he was all in. Harry’s thirst for going to the bar at night dried up. The music he used to listen to was deleted from his daily playlist. The friends he used to associate with didn’t hold the same importance as they once did. He was radically different.
That makes me think of one of my favorite men found in Scripture, Paul. When we first meet Paul, his name is Saul. Saul took delight in persecuting the followers of Christ. Scripture mentions him at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1) and having an active role in trying to destroy the new church by going house to house, dragging out both men and women who followed Christ to throw them in prison (Acts 8:3). You could say that Saul wasn’t just not a follower of Christ; he looked at those who loved Him as an enemy. One day while on his way to Damascus, the Lord revealed himself to Saul. In an incredible series of events, Saul was transformed from being a man eager to kill the followers of Christ (Acts 9:1) to Paul, a man that embraced being God’s chosen instrument to carry the Lord’s name to the Gentiles, kings and people of Israel.
Romans 12:2 (NIV) says that we too will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Colossians 3:10 (NLT) says that we will be renewed as we learn to know our Creator and become like him. How do we transform and renew? That comes when the Holy Spirit changes our mindset through continual time in God’s Word, in prayer and when we sit and listen for the Spirit’s promptings. Both Harry and Paul underwent a radical transformation. They went from freezing to boiling. They both chose to trust and then to obey. When you submit to the Holy Spirit, your priorities change.
Have you gone through a radical transformation? Have you been saved from a life that conformed to what only this world has to offer? Praise be to our Father that you’re no longer that wrinkled caterpillar longing for wings.
What behavior, addiction or relationship is holding you back from total surrender and renewal? There have been times in my life when I would ask myself that question and the answer was obvious but I would push it to the side not wanting to deal with it. When I did that, growth was stunted and complete transformation didn’t happen.
Father, I thank you for the example of being transformed you’ve given us in both Harry and Paul. It’s my prayer that as Harry continues to mature in You, that the renewal of his mind would continue as well. Father, I ask that you would grant him the tenacity for You that Paul had along with the humility that so often flowed from his lips. Lord, I ask this for those reading this as well. May our minds be continually renewed in You, Heavenly Father. Amen.
