How We May Be Transformed

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:58 pm Post subject: How We May Be Transformed

How We May Be Transformed

Scripture:

And the Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of your country, and from your kindred, and out of the house of your father, and come into the land which I shall show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and magnify your name, and you shall be blessed. I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you, and in you shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. So Abram went out as the Lord had commanded him, and Lot went with him. (Genesis 12:1-4)

Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labor with the gospel, according to the power of God who has delivered us and called us by his holy calling, not according to our own works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world: But is now made manifest by the illumination of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought to light life and incorruption by the gospel.
(2 Timothy 1:8-10)

And after six days Jesus took unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and brings them up into a high mountain apart: and he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear him. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. (Matthew 17:1-9)

Reflection:

Many of us face temptations to believe that nothing significant may come from us. We go about our day and our relationships without thinking what we may truly accomplish. We are given any number of negative messages by the society which surrounds us which make us believe we have little to offer. We are tempted to believe we are simply here, part of the masses, and though we might have good accomplishments from time to time, we are tempted to describe ourselves with negative words. We must remember, there is a difference between the humility to which God encourages us and the negativity by which the evil one seeks to destroy us.

It is true, stories are told of those who found favor with God, but, we must remember, He loves all the children of His creation. There is not one of us He does not love, even those who turn away from Him. He desires that we find a good life and that we all may find our greatness, not in the ways of the world, but in the ways of heaven. His Word is there to help us find this way; the way by which we share with one another all the blessings of love.

Living according to His Word may not yield worldly fame, but, our path to heaven is not about what is written about us in newspapers or history books, but what is written in the hearts which surround us. The latter shall be remembered forever within heaven while the former shall decay to dust.

We must also remember that while there are those who speak of great deeds, what we too often take for granted are the small acts of kindness which help to counter the stresses of life. A smile, a kind word, a helping hand, a small gift of love; these are all within our power. Whether they shall come from us is our choice. It matters not whether we have great riches of the world, it is the wealth within our heart which matters most. Let us, then, allow our Lord to transform us from the ways of sorrow to the ways of His blessings. Let us allow Him to lead us away from the evils which diminish us and towards the love which allows us to build up one another. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

As Peter, John, and James observed Jesus upon the mountain, praying, they observed the clothing of their teacher become a dazzling white. They witnessed as Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah of the exodus He would accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31) In this moment of transfiguration, Jesus began to prepare for the event where He would begin His journey from this world so that He could ascend to His place in heaven where He would be seated at the right hand of the Father. What the apostles present did not comprehend at the moment is that their Lord was also preparing them for their own journey. To emphasize what we all should understand, the Heavenly Father spoke to fully confirm the position of Jesus and that we should listen to Him. (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35)

We are told that those who survive the great distress will wash their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14) The question before us, then, is what shall we do to prepare for the time we shall leave this world? Will we listen to the Son of God? Will we seek from Him the wisdom, courage, and strength by which we may prepare ourselves to follow Him? It was by faith that Abraham began the journey by which he and his descendants would receive the promises of God. It was by obedience that our Lord and Savior prepared the way for us. Let us, then, examine ourselves to answer if we, too, have faith and obedience. If we doubt, if we find ourselves wanting; then, let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us so we may prepare for the day when we shall wash our robes white in the blood of the Lamb.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways may we leave the old and prepare to take on the new?

What does it mean to turn away from the darkness so we may stand in the light?

How may we know that we are walking the path to which we are called by Christ?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier