Our society today, including local councils, governments etc are making us recycle as much as possible. I try to do my part, but I must admit, separating everything apart in the kitchen to add to different rubbish collections is a little bit frustrating. Especially considering what you buy from the supermarket is not helping the process.
I totally commend those groups that are taking the time to recycle a once used plastic item into something else (e.g., pen pictured) but I must agree we have a long way to go for the amount of rubbish we still throw in the normal bin!
This transformation process has now got me thinking on how Christ encourages us to be transformed and in doing so, what is the goal and how do we work this out day to day?
‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ – Rom 12:2 NIV
‘So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.’ – Rom 12:2 MSG
I really enjoyed listening to a devotion online, the other day, from a Minister in New Zealand sharing on what is currently taking place in the UK with the Royal family losing Queen Elizabeth II. The leadership of the Royal family / Kingdom passing from one family member and then ‘in the next breath’ passing onto the next!
What struck home to me in his explanation, was God calling us all to be ‘huios’ (Greek = mature son) in our Christian walk.
I was born into a family, where I am a third-generation Christian and have done what I can to pass that baton of faith on to my children (4th) and grandchildren (5th).
From
· accepting the lord into my life at 10
· getting water baptized at 12
· filled with the Holy Spirit at 16
· Bible college at 20
I know that every family is not perfect but regardless of ups and downs I have always pursued, choosing what the Lord is asking of me in my next step. When my husband was on the scene, he too was of the same thinking, and we have progressed in our journey together with God always our focus in every decision we make.
Knowing that we are not there yet and need to keep our ears, eyes, and hearts open to learning more from Jesus and His word (the bible), I think this then makes us useable by Him. In the message version of scripture above it says ‘place it (our lives) before God as an offering’ – says it all, especially if we are willing to do it daily!
Recycling today has come a long way from what it used to be, making amazing products from small household items to whole homes and more.
Imagine if you can, from what you were before knowing Christ - to what God sees for you in your future. How he can transform you for His purpose. In the bible, there are many scriptures that show us what God says about us (see attached).
Also, those in the bible that were considered ‘not usable’ but God still used them anyway for mighty works.
Gideon – was very afraid, was the least in his family but became a mighty warrior
Joseph – a dreamer and despised but became a Prime Minister
Moses – stuttered but brought his people through the desert with the ability to step into the promised land
David – shepherd boy, youngest in his family became a King of a nation
Job – wife told him he was a looser and he cursed the day he was born but God abundantly blessed him
Peter – a fisherman with no schooling was used by God to be a mouthpiece for Christianity today!
When growing up, I struggled with spelling and other schoolwork that always put me behind others and generally allocated to the end of the line or the back of the classroom on many occasions. But that has not stopped God from choosing to use me. I have been privileged to go preach to many in war-torn countries, facilitate and run programs and courses for large groups, preach on many occasions to congregations, write and produce books and much more.
I am in awe of God’s blessings in my life and the many times He has literally stepped in to reveal who He is for me – amazing!
Can I encourage you today to allow our Heavenly Father to step in and ‘TRANSFORM’ you for greater things ahead 😊