Transformation Series Episode 1

Transformation Series Episode 1

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hello, my walking friend! I bet you have already started walking – if so, yay you! I’m excited that you are going to join me as we discover more about true transformation. Maybe one area of your life that you want to transform is your health – mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. If so, then you are taking steps, literally steps, toward transforming your health in all those areas of your life! 

Today is the first episode in the transformation series and our verse to meditate on is 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

This verse is a good place to start if you want to transform your life because the key to transformation lies in the first part of the verse: if anyone is in Christ. We can spend lots of time and money trying to change ourselves into a new creation. Have you ever joined a weight loss program? Purchased anti-aging products to help you look younger? Read self-help books in the hopes you would be a more positive, loving person? Walking friend, let me tell you that I have! And still do! Who doesn’t want to look good on the outside and feel happy on the inside. But I have found that these are temporary fixes. I’m still aging and happiness is sometimes elusive. Real change and true transformation only happens when we are in Christ. 

That might sound discouraging to you. That’s understandable because it is human to feel this way. But there is an upside. In the chapter right before this one in 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul said:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

Isn’t that an amazing truth, a promise worth claiming and clinging to? When you are in Christ, you are a new creation. Period. End stop. Mic drop. The old life is gone. You have the ability to be renewed daily! Daily, friend! 

Every human being is physically perishing. But those who are in Christ, who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, are a new creation being renewed day by day, with the promise of a resurrected body and an eternity in heaven with Jesus. 

But isn’t it great that we don’t even have to wait until we get our resurrected bodies to experience transformation? We can experience it all the days the Lord has ordained for us. And one of the things that Jesus revealed to me is that he wants  to transform us. He wants to help us and empower us to change. Sometimes this is hard for me to believe. My tendency is to think that if it’s meant to be, it’s up to me. Self-improvement is done by…well, myself! Do you ever feel that way? But that’s not true. If you are in Christ, you are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and empower transformation in you. Aren’t you grateful that you are in Christ? I am!

Take a little time now to meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:17. Let these truths sink in and thank Jesus for the gift of salvation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection. 

How does it make you feel to know that, once you accept Jesus as your Savior, the old life is gone and you are a new creation? Take a little time to consider that now.

In what ways are you trying to transform your life? Do you find yourself more concerned with transforming things that are perishable (your physical being, your bank account, your possessions) versus the imperishable (your soul)?

Do you ever find that you try to transform yourself, by your own resources, without asking Jesus for help? If so, why do you think that is? Consider that Jesus wants to use his power to help you transform. Take some time to ask him for his help now.

Now let’s listen again to today’s verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

Your love and grace toward us is so incredible! Not only do you offer us salvation, which is an eternal gift, but you also offer us transformation as we live out our earthly lives. You don’t just save us and then leave us to live out our old lives – you make us a new creation! You bless us above and beyond what we can imagine, far beyond what we deserve. Jesus, let our thanks be surrender. Surrender to your will. Surrender to your loving transformation in our souls. Renew us day by day so that we will be a pure reflection of you in this troubled world. Help transform me, by the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, into your likeness. Thank you, Jesus, for always walking with me. Amen.

Well, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with the Lord. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today. But more importantly, you walked with Jesus, the one who transforms you from the inside.

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue our process of transformation. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.