CHANGES
A devotional sharing about how our spirituality/our life can become dingy if nothing changes. God the creator is about making changes.
SCRIPTURE:
As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. —Acts 9:29—
THOUGHT:
For the first time in many years (too embarrassed to say how many), we are having the indoor of our house painted. Yeah! Yet, as the paint is being applied, I now notice what the old paint actually looked like and it is very depressing. We have been in our house a long time and did not realize how bland and dingy the paint had become. When you are looking at it day after day, week after week, month after month, etc., you don’t fully comprehend how dark and discouraging it is until the new paint is applied right next to it.
WOW! “Like night and day” is the expression that first popped into my head. The original paint was white and it still looked “white” to me. After the new “white” paint (actually it is called “alabaster” – fancy, uh?) was on the walls and ceilings, the old white seemed almost brown. Now I may be exaggerating a bit for comparisons’ sake, but you get my drift…hence…”night and day”.
The stark difference sparked thoughts about the accountability or lack of it in our lives. When we go about our lives, doing the same thing everyday without introspection, we may be surprised at the dinginess of our lives, especially spiritually. Looking at my habits, do I try and read a new scripture each day? Or do I fall back on what I “already know”. Many adults that I know of think that because they participated in “Sunday School” as a child, they truly believe they do not need to learn any more about the Bible as an adult. Have you joined a study group recently? Do I look at myself in the mirror (spiritually speaking because the physical part is too depressing as I age), and take a full inventory of what I have “always done”? Or do I try something new and different, even if it is a little scary? I have never written devotionals before and the first attempts at it were very frightening to me. What would people think? Will they like them? Will they think they are worthless? Someone like myself, who suffers from low self-esteem, tries not to step out with new endeavors until forced. Yet, even though it was a new and scary task, I feel contented and hope that it helps to make a difference, even if in only one persons’ life. Do I hang out with friends that always agree with me and wait for their expected positive remarks, whether they are true or not? Or do I ask someone to hold me accountable and speak gently but frankly with me if they see a change that may need to be made? Recently, with this thought in mind, I purposefully have tried to foster a relationship with someone I know will be very open and honest with me. At first, I was fearful (again!), and was careful about subjects we discussed. Yet, as I learned to talk about uncomfortable subjects, I learned that although she is brutally honest at times, I can trust her opinion and trust her to have my best interest at heart. She is an amazing Christian woman with many talents and I know that she will always tell me the truth, even if it hurts a bit.
When I do look into that spiritual mirror, the dinginess stares right back at me until I give it a new coat of paint. Are you ready for a new shade of paint? Are you ready to fix the holes in the walls? Are you able to see your way clear to accept the comparison honestly enough to get that paint brush ready?
Jesus was, is, and will always be the Son of God. Yet, on earth, he walked as a human being, looking just like us. He was perfect and without blemish, the Lamb of God that was slain for us. Yet, the disciples knew of the human Jesus, looking just like them. Can you imagine their reactions during The Transfiguration? Even Jesus knew that to be able to demonstrate the magnificence of His Divinity, He would need to physically change right before their eyes. Can you imagine the beauty of the bright light that encircled Him? The miraculous changes helped to show His Power and His Love. He was the same being but changed from the earthly persona to the Heavenly persona.
Certainly we do not have nor do we need the ability to transform in such a manner. Yet, I believe that if we try and take a look at ourselves in the light of a new day and with the love of family and friends, we will see what needs to be changed. If we try something new to educate ourselves or to help others, we can improve upon the present self. We will see the dinginess of the original paint and with a little bit of time, can see a new coat of paint, brighter and clearer for all to see.
As an aside, I just realized that the new paint will one day be dingy again. What a journey, right? Apparently….. it is a continual process.
PRAYER:
Jesus Christ, before, now, and forever, help us to be brave enough to look into our lives and see if we need a new coat of paint. Counsel us Holy Spirit so that we will know what needs to be changed. God, our Father, create in us the spirit we need to make the changes.
AMEN
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