A Sojourner’s Thoughts

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Random Thought on Transformation

I have been in a desert place the last month or so. I have been unable to put together cohessive thoughts on things I have been reading and pondering. For me, in reality for all of us, I don’t think this is uncommon. There are times when I feel close to God, thoughts come and I can articulate them well, and life goes on. These are productive times in one sense, but to be honest there is less transformation of me personally.

For me, transformation comes when I am stretched and tested. It is in these refining fires that I am open to deep transformation. Transformation that seems to create some of my life altering changes. I hope that this makes sense to you. It’s not that either of these positions are better than the other – we need both times of rest and times of refining. A couple of my former seminary profs called this cycle a transformations crucible. In the center we can find rest, but around the edges we get our impurities burned away.

Our current message series at my church is called Inked (click here if you want to view) has been great because they have been focusing on the promises that God has given us in His Word. You see it are these promises that I turn to, that we all should turn to when we are in the desert places. As one of the Jasons said this last weekend (and I paraphrase), when you feel alone add 1 because God is there.

Don’t run from times of trial, struggle, hurt or aloneness – rather lean into the promises of God, seek out others for support, open yourself up to the Holy Spirit’s transformational work and see where God brings you.

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Transformational Verses

I have a lot more things to tell you, but I’d rather not use paper and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk. That will be far more satisfying to both you and me. (2 John 1:12 MSG)

I have a lot of Bible verse that I key into my beliefs and values – Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 22:37-41, Joshua 1, John 13. These are some of the key verses that have transformed my life. About a year ago I was introduced to the above verse in one of my doctoral classes and I have been pondering it ever since.

Most of you are probably wondering how it is this simple verse could hold my attention for such a long time. What is it in this scripture that has changed me?

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Reflections from Life

These past few weeks have been some of the toughest I have faced in a long while. Things that have happened, choices that have been made, and the challenges that I have be faced with have all weighted heavy on my soul. It is not just for me, news of ones mother facing cancer, fractured relationships, and a sense of lost hope. In the middle of this I am burdened but I am not overwhelmed. My relief comes from the community that I have around me, my wife, friends, co-workers, and others who are invited into the conversation. These people are my earthly anchors and it is God who is my eternal anchor, going back to His Word for comfort and strength.

Over the last year or so God has been showing me how valuable community is. The ability to rely on others in times of need. This has never been my strong suite and I have dealt with a lot of things on my own, where my burden could have been lightened if I has leaned on another. We see in scripture that no one person has all the answers, but rather we are a body of believers, each with a gift or talent that we can use to minister to others. What we need to do is reach out and ask (not always and easy thing to do) for help or when help is offered be willing to accept it (again not always an easy thing to do).

The most valuable relationship we have is our relationship with God. He is there to comfort and guide us in our times of trial. God uses our trials to transform us into the person God created us to be. I found my comfort in key pieces of scripture – Proverbs 3:5-6, James & 1 John – trust, wisdom in trials and being a child of God.

When trials and troubles come your way seek out those in your community of friends who will stand with you through the struggles, seek out God who will be there always, find comfort in His Word. Don’t try and do it alone, the burden is just to heavy – let God and others help you carry it.