I’ve had a vision over the past few years of what I’d like my family room/kitchen combination to look like. My kitchen cabinetry is white and the walls through these two rooms are red. I’ve had two sets of curtains in this space over the past eight years.
For each season, I change all the décor. Winter, spring, summer, fall, and Christmas (yes, Christmas is a season in my home). They are each unique and have their own color combinations. I must admit however, I am not a fan of pastel colors, so I dislike spring the most and have the least amount of spring décor for my home.
So my vision has been to create an Americana themed room combination from Memorial Day through Labor Day. I already had the red and white, I just needed to add the blue. I am working on that now. I’ve purchased the curtains (sorry Mom…you weren’t around). I’m recreating valances from table runners. There will be a splash of red, white, and blue décor throughout. The addition of a few new pillows, and in the end, it will be a makeover that I will love through the years.
Change can sometimes be hard for us in life. And the change that God requires of us can be difficult from the start. But as we allow God’s Spirit to lead and guide us, the change and transformation we undergo becomes less difficult.
The prophet Jeremiah was given a message to tell the people of Judah in Jeremiah 7. Part of this message was for them to change. Take a look at some of God’s words.
“Reform your ways and your actions and I will let you live in this place.” (Jeremiah 7:3b – NIV)
“If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever.” (Jeremiah 7:5-7 – NIV)
God was asking for Judah to be faithful to Him. To change from their old habits and lifestyle and return to Him. That’s exactly what He asks of us.
At Saul’s anointing in 1 Samuel 10, King Saul heard these words of the Lord through the prophet Samuel.
“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will be prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.” (1 Samuel 10:6 – NIV)
That’s exactly what happens to us when we accept Jesus as our Savior! We received God’s Spirit and we become powerful through Him. And we are changed into a different person!
Our desires become God’s desires. Our will becomes His will. We are transformed.
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 – NIV)
As we allow His Spirit to lead us, we become more like Christ. Ever-increasing to reflect His glory. That is what change is all about.
But in order for this change to take place, we must allow God’s Spirit to transform us. Take a look at Paul’s words in Romans 12.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is our spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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 12:1-2 – NIV)
As we offer our lives to God, He is able to change us from what we once were—sinners saved by grace—into people who please God and are holy like Him. And it’s through this change that we find His will.
The change in my home isn’t complete. It will take a little time to get it all the way I’d like. It will be an on-going process for a week or so. It’s the same with our spiritual lives. Change is an on-going process. The more we know about God and His character, the more we want to be just like Him.
If you’ve already accepted Jesus as your Savior, how are you doing on this transformation thing? I pray that you and others are noticing the change. That you are becoming more and more like your heavenly Father.
If you are looking for this change in your life, let me know. I’d love to point you in the direction of this change. It’s a great day for change. Why not take that first step?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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