Transformation

Most of us imagine that "following Christ" means reading what He has to say and then trying to apply it to our own lives.  But it is not at all like that; if it were, it would still be the natural (sinful) man trying to do the right thing, with very mixed results.

Transformation in Christ actually means submitting all that is in us to His power and energy working in us.  Gradually, He absorbs all of our negative energy into His light, which has never been overcome by the darkness.  And as our negative energy fades, it is replaced by the eternal light and life of mankind.

We can take anger management classes and see a psychiatrist---all natural means to control the energies inside us, and not to be scorned.  But the truth is that the energies inside us are coming from places we do not know, and have no idea how to control or manage.  It is only the Spirit of God dwelling in us who knows all things and who can calm the deep waters inside us.

Ultimately, it is not the mind that has the power to control, but the spirit.  And until our spirit is connected to and controlled by the Spirit of God, we have no hope.  The opening of Genesis is the whole story---God Himself has to overshadow the spirit of man, speaking His word and His light into our dark places, pushing back the deep waters of chaos and sending His light into our darkness.  When this finally happens, not all at once, but gradually, we begin to live in the light. 

It is no accident that creation is described as occurring over a period of 7 "days," with only space being created in the first three days (sky, earth, sea) and then the space being filled with "teeming life" the 4th, 5th, and 6th days.  When God begins to "make space" in us for His action, He will not fail to fill the space with overflowing life and joy. 

But the transformation from chaos to harmony is a process.  Every part of the process Genesis describes as "good."  But the final result was described as "very good;" then God rested from all the work He had done.  Once our own process of transformation is underway, all the steps will be "good."  We may not see the final result for seven long "days," but we can be assured He will not stop His work in us until He sees that the end is"very good."  Amen.  So be it.