And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV
I vividly remember caterpillars crawling up the stucco foundation of my childhood home. Warmed by the afternoon sun, I captured the furry creatures. Sometimes content to let them crawl on my arm, but my goal was to keep them and watch them transform into butterflies. I released many ugly moth-looking creatures, knowing that one day, they would return with wings colored by God’s paint brush.
That process is called metamorphosis. That’s important because Paul used the Greek word “Metamorphoo” which is translated “transformed” in our focal verse. We are commanded not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
The Lord saw us crawling in sin’s dirt, climbing up the world’s ladder. He swooped in and rescued us, transforming us into the beautiful individual He created us to be.
God also transforms the caterpillar into what He created him to be. The butterfly never returns to crawling up warm foundations. He doesn’t revert back to chewing leaves because he is now nourished by sucking nectar from plants. The butterfly never dabbles in the life it formerly had as a caterpillar, but we do.
Our problems arise because we make unwise choices. Not necessarily sinful ones. Just not the smartest ones. God allows us to make decisions about how we spend our time. He gives us the liberty to focus on whatever we like. Often, our choices move us ever so slightly into the world’s direction and away from God.
Our capacity for transformation will never exceed our commitment to God.
Paul used the word “transform” one other time in Scripture. This verse demonstrates how time in the presence of God and transformation are connected:
But 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 3:18 NKJV)
“Here, Paul teaches us that transformation occurs when we have a face-to-face with the Lord. When we carve out time for God, our minds get aligned with Him.
Radical change occurs when you are radically seeking the presence of God. “*
Periodically, we need to honestly explore where we spend our time. Are we spending enough time in the Word and in prayer? Have we slipped off with church attendance? Then we must see where that time is going? Even the best things in life can keep us from God. Something as innocent as hobbies or even our families. Everything has to be done in proportion to our time with God, because He is our priority.
I have great news. We can dust off our wings and realign our schedules. Then we will be what God created us to be, beautiful butterflies.
Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see where the world has crept back into my life. Help me linger in Your presence, having a face-to-face with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read James 4:4 NKJV:
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
HIKING THE TRAIL
After evaluating the time, you spend with God and the time you spend on other things, commit to shifting more of that time to God. Make a plan you can stick to, not just a quick fix for this week. Take extra precautions during your busiest times of the year whether it is holidays, summer, or seasonal sports.
*Eyes of Faith: Winning the Battle Between Our Feelings and Our Faith by Carolyn Dale Newell 2019
Originally posted on January 24, 2020 @ 3:09 am