I am intrigued by the word “transformation” and as it came up in Romans as well as 2 Corinthians, I decided to pursue why this word at this time is important for me to explore.
My sons, when they were in the 7 – 9 age range, had a short-lived fascination with Transformers. As I watched a seemingly harmless object like a truck quickly turn into a strange looking creature, I was drawn in by the mastermind that was behind creating a toy that appeared one way in the box on the shelf, but in the hands of a child became something totally different.
The word transformation means “a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance”. Â You can also use the words “change, alteration, metamorphosis, and conversion to explain the same concept. The definition alone describes what I saw when I watched my sons change their regular toy into this amazing looking real life creature.
Why is God laying this word on my heart at this time in my life? Right after typing this question, I realized that many of you that know me probably are thinking that you already know the answer. I also have an answer to the question.
Since January, I have been praying a prayer in pursuit of brave, next steps and clarity.
God listens! Let me say it again. God listens to our every word and the silent whispers that fill our hearts. He looks for ways to transform our walk with Him to deepen the relationship that He cherishes with each of us. Prayer does make a difference and as I seek to understand what God has planned next, I spend time with Him, read scripture and just listen for answers.
God shows up and translates my prayer into baby steps forward as if I am just learning to walk, but at the same time feeling that the steps are just right. I find myself doing things that are out of my comfort zone. To someone else they might seem normal but for me, I know I my heart is breaking for what God is calling me to do. The Spirit is transforming my next into God’s plan.
God promises to transform us into His image through the Spirit. Our open hearts and prayers for brave lead us to our next. This is God’s promise.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV
[Tweet “Pray for brave steps and the Spirit will transform your next into God’s plan.”]
I love how reading God’s Word leads us to all of His promises. I have been looking at some of God’s promises as He has been leading and if you missed reading about the promise of rest or provision, click here. #Godspromises
My prayer for transformation is one that God delights in answering and as I move forward in faith, amazing things will happen. Transformation happens when our eyes stay focused on Jesus and our hearts are open to receiving whatever is next. The verse in Romans reminds us to keep going and not be distracted by the world, but in a stance of arms open wide ready to embrace God.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
I love when you stop by and join me here. I pray that God affirmed or reassured something for you as you read these words. May we all know that God cherishes a deep relationship with us and surrendering to Him will cause a transformation of the Spirit in us.
In grace and peace,
Mary
So thankful these communities open their blog homes each week!
Susan #DanceWithJesus
I feel like I’ve been in a time of deep transformation over the last several months. It’s a work that I cannot see, but I believe transformation happens from the inside out. He’s preparing my heart, ridding me of all of the junk, pain and hurt and then, when I’m ready I will see the results of this transformation. Until then I take His hand and say a brave “yes”, whatever that may mean.
Thank you for affirming for me that heart work is God working from the inside out. I also am saying my brave “yes” to next steps without seeing the whole picture. It is a path without a clear vision but it is one that is being cleared by God. Your words encourage me so and I love having you here.
I know exactly what you are saying about transformers, and have also thought about them as relating to God transforming us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This is my first time to your blog, finding you on FMF (I’m #10). Joining in has been a blessing. I have found so many wonderful blogs like yours and feel greatly encouraged this morning, as I read through the links. Many blessings, Colleen
Blessed that you stopped here and encouraged me too. God has a way of connecting us through His word and the words of others. I am so glad you found the FMF community. They are an amazing group of writers with hearts so big. Have a blessed week.
I thank God for the transformations He gives us. Without them we may never mature in our faith and become more like Him. What a beautiful picture of God giving us wings to soar to where he wants us to be. Thank for sharing.
Thank you for your sweet words Jaime. I love the image of God giving us wings to soar. That is exactly what transformation can look like. Hope your weekend is blessed.
I love “the spirit will transform your next into Gods plan” ….our next is only a little glimpse of Gods entire plan! Blessed to be your neighbor at Counting My Blessings
So good to have you here Winter! It is only through the Spirit that the complete transformation will take place. Praying we open ourselves wide to allowing God to transform us into His next! Blessings!
Visiting from #DancewithJesus, loved your post. Transformation is a mesmerizing word as we think about what God is doing in us… May we be moldable in His hands til someday we are face to face…
May we all be moldable in God’s hands and open our hearts to allowing this process of transformation to happen. I love having you here today and I appreciate your words affirming the intrigue of transformation. Weekend blessings!
I love the prayer, especially the end that says “make me brave”. The word the Lord gave me for this year is “boldness”, and I can look back over the last 6 months and see how God has transformed me and made me bolder. I am looking forward to seeing how He continues to transform me, and needed this reminder from you to continue to pray for that boldness and bravery as God continues to show me each step along the way.
Found you at Susan’s Dance with Jesus!
So glad you are here today! I am finding when you pray for boldness or bravery, God answers in ways that make you step out of your comfort zone. His ways are always amazing and I am praying for all of us seeking next steps that God provides what we need for the journey. Blessed that you joined me today. Have a beautiful weekend!
Hi Mary,
I have been thinking a lot about you! I have been praying and looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in your life. I love how you have an open heart to His transforming love and power. He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! If someone would have told me 2 years ago I would be working with impoverished orphans in Pakistan, I would have told them they didn’t have both oars in the water lol. Keep seeking His will…He’s got big things in store for you!!
Love,
Bev xx
Your heart and your ministry is so open and I love knowing that about you. My big things will be big for me but to others might not look like much. I am hoping that the transformation moves forward but I know that the process is exactly that – a deep awakening and unfolding. Thank you for being such a bright light of encouragement for me. Happy weekend!
Hello Dear Mary, Transformation is a prayer for the brave hearted. You are brave.
Transformation work is usually thorough, deep and sometimes God shakes up hidden areas of our lives.
Thank you for sharing this transforming faith experience.
Many Blessings Sister
Your words touch me deep and are so encouraging. Thank you for being here and reminding me that transformation is God’s work but that being brave will allow me to let God do the work in me that He needs to do. Blessings for a beautiful weekend!
This is the second post I’ve read today that is a timely message for me to step out of fear and into faith and trust. So thankful He is guiding my every step! Thank you for sharing!
I love how God sends reminders of exactly what we need to hear and when He does it causes us to pause and wonder why??? I am thanking God with you today for His timely message and for the call to step out in faith. Blessings and thank you for stopping by today.
There are so many self-help books that promise transformation of our bodies, homes, relationships, businesses etc. But as you pointed out, true transformation begins with God and takes place deep within… in our hearts… Once that takes place, then we’ll begin to see transformation happen in everything we do. thanks mary!
Thank you for explaining my words even better. Opening our hearts for God to enter allows Him to do the work that is needed to then take the steps that He is calling us to in our lives. Thankful that you stopped by here today. Blessings!
Good morning, Mary!
I’m dropping in to #TheocentricThursday participants this week and leaving links to who they are supposed to comment on this week to make sure everyone understands how it works. It works best for the hosts record-keeping if everyone clicks the links on the actual blog hop, but when it comes right down to it, we’re more concerned with everyone receiving at least two comments per week! So, as the first entry this week, you get the confusing posts to comment on.
They are:
#6 http://www.inlinkz.com/displayurl.php?id=23936763
and
#7 http://www.inlinkz.com/displayurl.php?id=23936796
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Blessings,
Carrie Ann Tripp
Got it! I had already commented on those two posts even before you stopped by. Thank you for the link up!
Love the work of transformation you are submitting to and can’t wait to see what God does with it. I may…ahem, do….need to join you in that prayer in my own life! 🙂
The prayer is easy but remember when we ask for God to work in us, He will! I am thankful this is a work in progress that does not happen all at once. Change and following God in all is one that I will do best by taking baby steps. Love you girl!
The mystery continues! I’m dying to know what one of those “baby steps” God wants you to take is, Mary! But I know you’ll include us every “step” of the way. I just like to dig deep. It’s both a flaw and a strength in my character! I guess it goes along well with the digging I must do with my coaching clients! I’m praying for you, my friend! I know that God has great things planned for you and I can’t wait to see it all unfold!
I love how you always are interested in me and how God is working. What a blessing to know that a beautiful online friend is such an encourager. I think digging deep can be very important to the process of letting who you are unfold. I spend time doing that for myself but need to also ask friends to help me through the process. I am blessed to have good friends who accept my junk as well as the good parts of me. Thank you for being such an important part of my community here!
I smiled that you referenced the transformers as when at a car show on Saturday with my husband this was a particular car that I said reminded me of that yellow car in the movie. Bumble Bee??
Anyway . . . I too love that word and those verses from Romans. It was a study of Romans 12 that led me to give my life to Christ.
Beautiful, as always, friend.
Love you.
xoxo
I am so glad that some people got my transformers reference. I guess it helps to have had boys but honestly I was always amazed how easy my kids made it look. God does not make it look that easy and most of the time no one notices the transformation on the outside because the work is happening inside out hearts. Eventually the transformation appears in God’s timing and that is the beauty of it. Thank you for always encouraging me. Writing is hard but worth it when your favorite friends stop by.
These are important words for me today, Mary! I pray a lot for transformation, always thinking it’s not happening because there’s not some huge immediate change. I’m not suddenly changed from a car to a robot :). However, when I look back on my life, I see how far He has brought me. The transformation is amazing, but I must remember, I’m still a work in progress.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane with the Transformers! My son absolutely loved them. They drove me a little crazy though. Even with a degree in Computer Science, I couldn’t figure some of those out to save my life. Much love, my friend!
Transformation is a process and I am thankful that God eases us into the changes. I know I will always be a work in progress and that is okay. As for Transformers- I never could figure them out. Takes the brain of a young boy, I guess!
I always love when you are here and pray that re-entry into the writing world hasn’t been too difficult. Love you!
Transformation is more than just a make over. And that can only happen with God. 🙂
Great post!
I love knowing that transformation is more than a makeover which many times is just temporary. God is the director of our next and I need to let Him get to the business of directing me. Thank you for stopping by! Always good to see you!
Hi Mary! Your thoughts about transformation and the power of prayer remind me of the Scripture passage that says if you believe the change is with you, it is. So I know that you will discover your ‘next great thing’ as you pray and show your trust in the One who leads you.
Thank you for bringing up those Transformer toys! I remember them too. 🙂
Blessings,
Ceil
I know my next is coming and that is something I am very sure of, but in the meantime God needs to continue working on my heart and preparing it for me to shine His light brightly. I believe in change in me and part of the process is waiting for bits and pieces to fit together. So glad you were to encourage me. Blessings to you my friend!
I love that God transforms us. One of the things I thank Him most for is that I am not who I used to be…not ten years ago and not yesterday. He is so good to keep doing the good work that He started in us! Thank you for your words!
Yes HE is! Our transformation is ongoing if we let God lead the process. The beauty is in who we are becoming in Christ. Thank you for being here today.