Tag: #transformed

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Increased Similarity

So, the other day I called a friend, and about a minute or so into our chat, I realised that the person on the line sounded like my friend, but at the same time not like her. I was extremely puzzled for a moment, then quickly put together that it wasn’t actually my friend but her 20-year old daughter! Her voice is extraordinarily similar to her mother’s, I must say. 

When I was done catching up with my friend — the real her — I found myself thinking about how alike their voices are, and was taken aback by how long it had taken me to notice the similarity in their voices. It always intrigues me to see a child and parent bear a striking resemblance or similarity in conduct! 

This thought was quickly followed by another one . . .  when people speak to me, do they hear any similarity between me and my Father in heaven? And, do I know my Father in heaven’s voice well enough to tell when it is Him speaking or the enemy lying to me? 

The first question reminded me of Jesus saying we should be like our Father in heaven – perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Now, on the one hand, I am already perfect because Jesus gave me His righteousness as a gift when I put my faith in Him as my Saviour. Yet, on the other hand, there is still some work to be done in me to make me more like Jesus so that when I speak (or act!), people can hear/see a similarity between Jesus and I. And I very much would like to be known as the girl who sounds like Jesus in her speaking and doing. 

The next question brought to mind the second beast of Revelation 13. This beast looked like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. Only one who is highly conversant with the real lamb can identify the fake one. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to distinguish between God’s voice and the enemy’s voice. I certainly don’t want to be taking instructions from the enemy, thinking that it is the Lord! Especially today when we are surrounded by massive deception everywhere! 

Both questions have been on my mind and for the past couple of weeks. Which, I suppose is an indication that these are not actually my thoughts but a challenge from the Lord . . . 

Which is why, in response, I’ve begun to compile a list of the traits that I would like people to associate me with. My list is an opportunity to invite the Lord to work in me so I become more and more like Jesus, and noticeably so! I also see more reason to keep up my “triple the word” study because it is in knowing the Scriptures that I can be familiar enough with my Father in heaven to minimise deception, and at the same time have Him work in me so the similarity between my voice and His increases. 

As I trust the Lord to help me work through these two quests, I extend the challenge to you. All you need to do is invite Him to work in you, and co-operate with Him. After all, 

"... it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

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Conformed or Transformed 2

Remember how I almost got married a decade ago in a bid to conform to society’s expectations? If you haven’t read part 1, start here. All caught up? Let’s continue . . .

Oddly, despite making the decision to soldier on, I continued to say a prayer that went something like — “Lord, if this guy is not the one for me, please remove him from my heart and life. Don’t let me make a mistake.” Strange, yes? God, in His mercy, answered. One day I felt something like scales fall off my eyes and simultaneously had a series of flashbacks of all the red flags I was ignoring. And boy, were they many! I saw the entirety of our dating life from a crystal-clear perspective. It was like watching a movie of someone else about to make a colossal mistake. That day, I knew I could not go ahead with the wedding. So, I called off the next visit in our cultural process. Actually, truth be told, I didn’t have the courage to outright cancel it. I instead postponed the date, without offering a new date. He knew something was wrong, but he did not make a fuss. But (and again I shake my head) I continued to date him. I didn’t have the courage to leave. He had not been unfaithful, or abusive, or any other majorly negative thing. I continually asked myself, “In what universe does a 30-something-year-old-girl call off an engagement yet the guy is faithful and honourable? What will people say?” I kept this up for perhaps a year. All the while praying for God to remove him from my heart and life. Again, like I said, God in His mercy answered my prayer. He gave me both the courage and opportunity to call it off. God even ensured my dad had my back because dad told me that it should not matter what people think of me, only that I was making the right decision. So, I called off the engagement.

I thought the shame and pain would kill me. But God! God is so faithful! I did not cry once after I called it off. Instead, I felt relieved and joyful and eager to see what God had in store for my future. I also thought He had a husband waiting right around the corner; but that’s a story for another day.  

Now that I am older, and slightly more mature in my faith, I understand that marriage should represent the love Jesus has for His bride/the church . . . it isn’t something to be taken lightly. It certainly was madness for me to want to get married just because I was getting old. At only 33! Ha! 

Like I said in part 1, I am now 43. Knowing what marriage symbolises, makes me want to go into it for the right reason, and with every intention of honouring my vows.

Some days I despair about whether it will happen. 

But then, even if I never get married, it doesn’t diminish my worth, or my love for Jesus!  I’d much rather keep being transformed than conform to society’s expectations.