I finally won. The last two Sundays, I've mentioned my ongoing inability to win a racquetball game. I played religiously in college but have played very little since. This week, I finally triumphed. As I left the gym, I wondered, "How did that happen?" One week I can hardly catch my beath after several serves and two weeks later, I've got game.
The answer is rhythm. I think I have rediscovered a rythym on the court. Similarly, the spiritual life requires a rhythm: Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit so we become more like Jesus. We cannot transform ourselves, but, we must be sensitive to how God is at work in our lives.
This morning, I talked about incidental transformation--the change that takes place, even without us knowing it. We look back and we see that something is different. I mentioned that such life-change takes place in community. What's your story? How have you experienced transformation through your connection to community? Perhaps a specific story of change might motivate someone here to connect.
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Every Sunday I bring a friend to church. The last few times I've brought a girl who no longer goes to church and doesn't beleive in god. She feels god, but he is no longer in her. She used to be an extreme christian, read the bible religiously, and even started her own bible study! A year later she's changed drasticly after a horrible emotional crisis. I can see it in her eyes. Is this a normal life-change?
Anonymous, thanks for writing. I read a beautiful irony in your comment: Your friend "doesn't believe in God" and yet she has come with you several times to church. I think that's remarkable! I think that's a wonder example of life change. Rather than compare her recent state with some time a year ago, I ask the question, "What is God doing in her RIGHT NOW?" And, it does seem that the Spirit has not abandoned her.
On another note: how fortunate are your friends to have someone like you who doesn't give up on them! Be strong and courageous!I'd love to meet your friends.
Anonymous - It is very understandable that, after a horrible emotional crisis, for someone to doubt God and become discouraged. But the Holy Spirit is absolutely without a doubt still alive in your friend's heart! So pray for her, encourage others to pray for her and God will do a work in her (maybe just a little at a time) that will restore her faith and her joy. God will do the work. And He will use her experience to help and bless others - that is a big part of being in community with other believers. You are a tremendous blessing to her!
You know, I totally buy into and understand the idea of "incidental transformation" based on a comment my Dad made to me a few years ago. When I decided to get baptized at the church I attended prior to PBC, he was kind of dismissive about it. He said that he didn't want me coming over to the house preaching to him. He said that he had "his own thing going on with God"...whatever that means. As time moved on, he made the comment that he had seen a change in me and it was very much for the better. I really didn't feel that much different, but I was evidently exhibiting something that caught his attention. For the last couple of holiday/family gatherings, he even asked me to pray over the meal, which I thought was huge. I don't know where my Dad is going spiritually, but thru my "incidental transformation", he seems more open to a little bit of transformation himself. Praise God! Mike M.
I am so grateful for the incidental changes in my life through God's precious grace. The first biggy for me was my parents' divorce after 28 years. The circumstances drove me to God, to indepedence from my identity in my family, and to becoming a woman of faith worthy of marrying a Godly man. My incidental transformation was my identity in Christ. My second biggy was the death of my husband at age 40. ( I was 33; my son 2.) It's been five years and I'm cruising now, but what a transformation I've had. The depths of emotions, both sad and joyful, are deeper than I've ever experienced before. God gifted me with emotions that are impossible to hide. When I was living in a world to please everyone around me, my sincere emotions were often stifled! Currently, I am in a good place, but already feel God tugging at my heart symbolizing a change on the way. I'll be ready, because He knows it takes a while to get me there! It may not happen for a year or two, but I'll be in the right place for it. I sincerely try to find a God spot every day, but it doesn't always work out the way I hoped. I am saturated with His presence in the deep emotional times; They are too overwhelming for me on my own. Thank you, God. I treasure the transformations you bring to my life! (This entry is to clarify my video interview from Sunday! I have no idea what I said.)
Is anything "incidental" when God is involved? What's seems like incidental transformation to us is intentional transformation with God.
Thoughts???
Yes! There are no accidents with God. He always works everything out "in conformity to the purpose of His will" [Eph 1:11]. He is never surprised by my life change. God never looks in hindsight to see what He has been doing. Change may happen to me without me being aware of it. But, God is always on deck doing what He intends to do. I love it!
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