God is the Master of transformation! We see His workmanship, igniting destiny and bringing purpose to seemingly ordinary people like you and me.
As we consider God’s choices for forerunners in the church, we justly scratch our heads in wonder. At the same time, we take hope from these unlikely candidates! Most of them got off to a rather bumpy start!
- Paul bored someone to death by his sermon! Fortunately, he was also able to resurrect the poor lad from the dead.
- Peter, famous for often having at least one sandal stuck in his mouth, became the apostle to the Jews — scholars who would have examined his every word!
- Mary, a former prostitute, led the first woman’s ministry to the tomb and became the first evangelist to declare Jesus’ resurrection.
- The Sons of Thunder, who were known to fight for “top dog” position, settled into stride promoting others to places of honor and authority!
All of them were diamonds in the rough before God began His work in them. He had vision. He saw their true potential.
We find strength and encouragement from even these few human examples. Knowing God mightily used murderers, prostitutes, and shepherds, I know He can use anyone, including me, for His glory. If God deliberately chose the weak and fear filled, it is not unreasonable to believe that He can and will use us, too. Because God chose to use the unlikely, ill-equipped, social rejects, even family outcasts, we know His power far surpasses our weaknesses and failures.
God is the Master of transformation in the lives of those who submit their lives to Him. We strain to find any similarity between their before and after stories.
Hope
“Remember … that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”
I Corinthians 1:26-28
Foolish? Weak? Yes! I qualify! Lowly? Despised? Check! Check! Things that are not? Yes, that’s me! On any given occasion, I fit His description of someone with possibility — offering nothing of value in myself, but becoming called, valuable, and gifted in and through Him.
How about you?
Such are our limitations and faults. So, we bow with wonder at His love, mercy, and grace! His ways are too wonderful to understand.
We all desire to be known fully and loved unconditionally. God alone does both … and so much more! Only God, the Master of tranformation, satisfies and fills the deepest craving for absolute acceptance and unconditional love.
Transformation
My question is why? When there is no good thing in and of ourselves, why would God choose to limit Himself to work in and through humanity?
“… to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
I Corinthians 1:28-30
Did you catch that? Our weakness and insufficiency amplifies His greatness and goodness.
The first step with any transformation requires taking apart what presently exists. With a home renovation that might include such things as removing walls, wiring and plumbing. True restoration goes right to the structural elements! Later, the cosmetic materials and outer layers are added and take form.
God does much the same in us. It is a lifelong process that one day will be perfectly perfect. Some day, we will be completely complete. But not here!
Does this not invoke genuine adoration and worship to our Heavenly Lord, the Master of transformation?
Chosen
God has chosen each one of us. Contemplate that for a moment! Every one of us, hand-picked, specifically selected, divinely appointed, highly favored, and elected for Him, through Him and by Him!
The Mighty God,
Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1),
Redeemer (Psalm 19:14), Savior (Acts 4:12), and Friend (John 15:15),
The Anchor of our souls and Hope eternal (Hebrews 11:1),
King above all other kings and Lord of lords ( 1 Timothy 6:15),
The One upon the throne (Psalm 103:19),
our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), Light and Salvation (Psalm 27:1),
who holds all things secure in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 41:10),
whose strength flashes like lightning (Job 37:3),
and whose voice resounds like thunder (Psalm 29:3-4),
too big for any box we might want to put Him in,
beyond understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9),
from everlasting to everlasting limitless,
self-existed (Isaiah 46:9), omnipresent, all-powerful,
knowing all things and seeing all things (Romans 11:33),
Love unconditional and undeniable (Jeremiah 31:3),
wild and holy,
dwelling in irreproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16),
nothing can stand against Him (2 Chronicles 20:6), no power can limit Him,
His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 2:22-23)
faithful to all He has promised (Psalm 145:13) …
The One and only God has chosen, called, and ordained you and me unto Himself! WOW! Then, He commits Himself to seeing us rise to the fullness of our potential.
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
I Thessalonians 5:23-24
His transformation process never ceases. Oh, how we praise Him for His faithfulness!
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