New Beginnings

2 Cor. 3:14,16  But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away... 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.

A couple blogs ago I wrote that I think my overall life message to the world is that God makes all things new. He is in the transformation business for His glory and for our good.

There is an analogy I love about when God moves into your heart's home (after He's invited of course). You think He's there to do a nice little remodeling job. A bit of paint, tearing out the old ugly wall paper - "who put that up anyway?!"; some new drapes. A nice little cottage...... But wait, what's this?.... OUCH!.... He's tearing down a wall.... no not just one wall, OUCH!!....wait, what's going on? the whole house is coming down! You are disillusioned, "what is happening?!" you wonder. "I didn't sign up for this!" But the KING of the universe isn't interested in your safe, neat little cottage. He is making you into a mansion for HE is living there.

I love this analogy. I find it true to my life experience and those of other dedicated Jesus followers. God isn't interested in a makeover. He's interested in complete and utter transformation. I honestly don't want my former self to be recognizable when He is finished with me.  I know that is a scary thing to say, because I know how painful dying to SELF is. But I will choose this path until it kills me. Yep, until it kills the self loving, self protecting, self promoting tendencies within me. I know this is a long process, wrought with failure and humiliation. But I heard recently that to be a true disciple means to shown over and over again your weaknesses. (think about Jesus disciples and how Jesus was always teaching them how they had it wrong) The fact that HE is dwelling in me will give me the power to continue this journey. Also, knowing how much He loves me.

So, as I begin new ventures with my Lord I know that part of it has to do with putting to death the old self and the ways I have found self-satisfaction outside of Him. He is inviting me to trust Him completely. I know from past ventures like this that when I take a leap of faith, I have found my faith well placed.

until next time

....and the greatest of these is love