When you think about that transformation, it really is miraculous (as least to me). You have this substance: water. You can drink it, you can pour it, you can get it soapy, you can take a bath in it...and yet it still remains water. But, add a certain amount of heat, and it transforms. Poof! It's not liquid anymore. You can't drink it. You can't pour it. You can't get it soapy. And you certainly can't take a bath in it. But, it's still water.
Now imagine, if you will, that water resisting the transformation. Like the rain water that had soaked into the wooden fence, for instance. What if it decided that it really liked being nestled in the grains of that product of the earth? When the heat from the sun touched it, it shied away and hid under the wooden fibers. When it felt itself being freed from its liquid bonds it wrapped itself in and through those fibers and turned away from the freedom of change. That might be a little uncomfortable, yes?
Picturing that as I was driving home made me realize that we are like that. We were not meant to be a permanent part of this world (our wooden fence), but we cling to our earthly bodies (and earthly ways) and shy away from the warmth and transforming heat of our Lord. We do it so fiercely that we can't even fathom that we are capable of transformation. It seems impossible. How can this solid, flesh and blood body be transformed into something new, better, freer?
It's agony, though...clinging to one form and not following our true nature. When we were baptized we were returned to the selves we were supposed to be. Well, we were given the seed to begin that journey back to our true selves.
Way back when (you know - Adam and Eve?), a damper, an inhibitor was interjected into our souls (sin). It messed with our chemical (i.e., spiritual) nature, so that we couldn't transform when His heat was applied (not even if we really wanted to). But, our original creator came down and interjected Himself into us so that we could transform, if we only turned toward His warmth and embraced that change: believed in Him.
I am so grateful for the Lord showing me everyday miracles of this world to help me understand the illogical and impossible miracle of my nature being transformed into His original vision and purpose for me. I want to be in a place where I don't even think about it: when His Son shines on me my spirit leaps off of that fence and flies up to meet Him in freedom and love!
The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?” Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” - John 8:22-24 (NLT)
Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. - John 12:25-26 (NLT)
Dear Jesus - thank you for coming into my life and beginning my transformation process. I am being reborn with each "ah hah" and insight your Holy Spirit shares with me. It is painful in this life, feeling your heat and yet still being unable to completely let go and follow you. I know it is a process and you are carefully renewing and reshaping me to return to your image. That was how you created us to be and that is where you will return us. I don't want to sit on the fence anymore, Lord. It's not a question if I am a part of this world or yours. Once I was baptize into your death I was given your new life and I am no longer a part of this world. I am free. I am the vapor rising rapidly to meet you where you are. I love you. Amen.
Blessings and peace,
Leah
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