Transformed Changes and changing

“Self-worth is not created, it is discovered.”  (Richard Rohr)

We do not recognize ourselves, just as we did not recognize Him. (1 John 3:1)

What is so insignificant about being created in the image of God that we would pursue the understanding of it so little? Our worth is not in what we achieve or put our efforts into…it is a dictate. As a creature, our value is dictated by our Creator, and it is most amazing that He created us in His image…a reflection and representation of Himself for the rest of creation. Very cool.

I have been studying the “Enneagram” quite a bit lately. It has been an enlightening (albeit sobering) undertaking. On one hand I am discovering that I have more that is broken within me than I realized (which grieves me), and on the other I am finding articulation for much of the struggle that wreaks havoc with my emotions…or should I say “emotions which wreak havoc…”?

The Enneagram (info here: 9types.com…or alternatively “The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective” by Richard Rohr) is helping me to understand that I am not alone in my internal battle over self; all of us have an ruling party and official opposition within…sometimes it is hard to tell which is which. It is also helping me to see the eventual outcome of the choices I could make. There are basic routes we can choose in our journey: to withdraw, to attack, and to stay humbly engaged. The first two make it impossible for us to receive or extend true love…only the latter offers this opportunity.

Transformation is all about growing the capacity to receive and extend love.

All we have as creatures comes from our Creator. All our efforts to live on our own  remove us from drawing on the life-giving energy and love of the Creator. As we continue in our own efforts throughout our journey, with an honest assessment, we eventually arrive at a place of disgust with ourselves. We cannot be the good we want to be on our own. (Am I alone in this?)

We need a greater love…we need true, deep, authentic, rich, energizing, empowering, sustaining transformation. The kind of transformation that can only flow from the Creator…not a form of Him captured in religion…but rather the source of all life, directly…in the person.

I resolve to pursue this at all cost, for I have been close enough to the edge to see that anything short of this will only end in the destruction of life.

Posted under Transformation

Titus 2:11-12 (New International Version)

^“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Grace is defined by Merriam-Webster as:

“unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace”

What unmerited divine assistance would we ask for? What virtue; regeneration? It is all a grace to be given to us by God. Here is another way of looking at it:

Psalm 127 1-2

“Unless the LORD builds the house,  those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved asleep.”

ANY task we undertake (including our transformation) will only be accomplished by the grace of God. We labor in vain if He has not granted grace to “succeed”.  If we acknowledge this in “all our ways” (Prov 3:6) then we can “work” in a posture of rest. We must depend upon God’s blessing and not our own contrivance.

Isn’t it about time that we understood the reality of John 5:15…

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

But then again…”understanding” must also be a grace…

Posted under Transformation