The 3 R's of Transformation: Renewal, Reconstruction, Revival
by Dawn Okrasinski
"God's Will be done, not mine" is a daily whisper upon my lips. For over thirty years, I have walked a journey that insists on a practice of seeking God while navigating the world around me. Even with the best intentions, I can and have chosen an easier way to walk my faith walk than push against the flow when left to my own devices. Yet, the regular reminder of who I am and what He would have me do redirects me from the weaker path of conforming to the world and sets me down on a road of continual reflection. What is God saying? What if I get it wrong? Is my EGO (Edging GOD Out) driving me today?
Paul points out that we are to continually renew our minds to determine the good and acceptable and perfect Will of God. Romans 12:2b (NKJV) The word "renew" tends to hang me up a bit. How do we do that exactly? Will my diligent prayer peel away the layers of me, revealing a better person more pleasing to God? There is such a desire to get it right when you love God with your whole soul. Renewal offers us more than just a change of heart, or mind, or action. Renewal inspires us to become more. We don't go back to thinking, doing, or being at the same level once we are molded in Christ's image. We cannot. We continue to build on his work, our mission, and most of all, his love. Therefore, we are changed. We renew by seeking God’s Word, acting in concert with his call, and filling our cup up with his love and grace.
When I became a mature Christian in thought and word, I began to make decisions that reconstructed who I was inside and out. Some of that makeover happened in an intimate relationship with the Father as I met with him each day, but my spiritual gifts were found in the church's structure. The fellowship of like-minded others who loved the way I wanted to love and were on fire for the Lord the way I wanted to be on fire for him. They challenged me to seek up in prayer, go within to hear the call, and then courageously reach out to others. I began teaching and writing and praying my good news and discipling others to join in. I found, and God blessed, his good and acceptable perfect will for me.
The resurgence in popularity of Superheroes leads to a more profound need among our society to hear the age-old story of overcoming evil with good. We require unity; we desire brotherly love, seek mercy and justice, and a return to some order in the divisiveness of our spirit and our community. We, my friends, are on the cusp of a revival fueled by an agape kind of love that can only be sourced through Jesus Christ. We have a mission, and you have a part to play as we go through our renewal, reconstruction, and revival here in our church. Our measured faith and the spiritual gifts we have been blessed with arm us with supernatural powers that can change cultural perspective by renewing minds through our compassionate right actions, diligent prayer, and the modeling of Christ's self-sacrificial love for others. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep Romans 12:15 (NKJV) and then, bring them home.
Reflection:
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Ephesians 4: 12-13 (CEB) His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults-to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.
Hebrew 13:1 Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.
Call to Action:
What does it feel like to self-sacrifice? Do you do this from a place of abundant love or convenient timing? Why? How is your experience different when you come from love?
What are your spiritual gifts? Make a list of them and pray for direction on where you need to serve in our Church and in creating Kingdom in our community. Then, next Sunday reach out to one of the Pastors, Elders, or volunteers and ask how you can participate.
