I seem to be stuck in Romans 12 this week; bear with me – this is some of the Apostle Paul’s best work. The chapter starts by telling the reader that becoming a follower of Jesus means that we are changed in body, mind, and spirit. It isn’t that we forget the past; in fact, the past should continue to inform us, reminding us of where we come from. Remembering the bad things we have done helps us to not judge others who are going through the same things. Remembering the past gives us a place to speak from – the ability to allow our experiences to show that there is hope for renewal. When I tell people about my faith, I speak about who I have become, not who they should be. That is their journey to write.
The problem with most religious people that I know is that their religious values often inform and confirm what they already believe and who they already are. Instead of taking a step back and considering their biases, they put God right in the middle of their own system. They use God and Scripture to bolster their existing opinions. This isn’t allowing God to transform us – this enables us to conform God to us. God becomes liberal or conservative – God takes on our politics and morals. We continue to ignore the parts of faith that challenge what we already believe and use what we do believe to confirm that God, in fact, agrees with us. God becomes very smart.
That’s not what Paul or Jesus taught. Both of them would challenge people’s perspectives and invite them to consider something else. Both of them – especially Jesus – would ask questions and push people to change their minds. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus bounced the question back and asked, “What do you think?” Believing in God is supposed to make us better, not the same. And yes, God loves us the way we are. God also expects us to become something more. Otherwise, what is the point of Jesus, if not to challenge who we have been and help us become who we could be? Transform, Paul wrote, not conform. Because this world isn’t perfect, and neither are we. God is there to help us become more than we ever imagined we could be.
Prayer – Holy God, You have made us to be beautiful, but not perfect. Help us to practice our faith so we can become more. Amen.
Today’s art is “Transformation” by Joyce Huntington.