When i was younger, i was extremely shy, couldn't look people in the eye, barely talked, and when i did risk a few words, those treacherous "r's" came out more as "w's" and the more i tried to change it the worse it stuck. I fantasized often that i was someone else, in a different world, one where i was perfect...happy. Funny thing about perfectionism...actually about the process of transformation, and that is, it doesn't just stop. There is no final destination or achieved end point where any of us can say, "I've made it...I've reached it" that point where we can sit back and become comfortable couch cushions, that is, until we finish out our time here on earth.
This thing we call life, it is but a fleeting moment in the scope of eternity. As i ponder this, i am reminded how vital it is to remain in reality, within the moment of the process in order to continue being transformed into the likeness of our King. We have no time for time-outs or energy aimed at eluding present struggles if we are to move forward. It is urgent for the advancement of the Kingdom for us to engage in disarming and throwing off every hindrance that gets in our way. If we are not able to identify points of personal struggle, than perhaps that is where we are suffering---deception. Because struggle is everywhere. Especially once we profess faith in God. "For the world will hate you, but count it as blessing for they once hated me". Okay, that was paraphrased, but you know the verse, you've read it, right?
Continuous transformation throughout the struggles of this life can only be achieved through constant connection and with The Vine. We are branches of the Vine that provides nutrients to survive on...to go beyond survival to thriving to growing wildly. It requires pruning. Discipline. Open eyes to what God is revealing and open ears to hear him whispering his never-ending love to us. The Vine believes in us...thus, he flows his life through us. Transformation--being so filled with The Vine, that one would not know where the branch ends. That is a mustard seed movement...such individual nurturance and love that the seed touches one to spread a wildfire movement of Love.
Connection. Meditation. Constant fellowship. Continuous recognition of Christ's presence within us. That is miraculous transformation. That is God's love movement in this world. So personal. Such sustainable live giving and receiving. Let us breathe forth life, lived out of staying rooted to our source of this very Life, itself. Let us not stay as we were when we were young, envisioning a different here and now or perfect fairy tale world, but take advantage of our present reality of struggles and grow towards Christ, like a plant to the sun. revival begins with one heart touching another.
