A Transforming Image - Encouragement Café - May 29

A Transforming Image
By Joan Walker Hahn

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. Romans 12:2 NIV

I have been blessed in my life to have known, and currently know, some very Godly women. Women with gentle, loving spirits that let you know immediately they are children of God. Women who are always encouraging and who glow with joy no matter what circumstance they may be going through. Women whose conversations always include the awesomeness of God. Women whose prayers make me feel like we are sitting in our living rooms having a personal talk with our wonderful Lord. I have been blessed, indeed, with the wonderful example they have been to me.

I have found myself on many occasions praying for God to help me have the kind of gentle spirit that those ladies have. I’ve prayed for God to help me be a Godly woman like those other ladies so that when people see me, they see Christ. I want to portray the joy of the Lord in all I do like I’ve seen them do.

Then I realized I have it all wrong.

It was one Sunday morning when we began a new unit in Sunday School on Transformation. In the very first lesson, I had this “Aha” moment. Like a smack right upside my head. Know what I mean?

As wonderful and Godly as those women are, I shouldn’t be praying to be like them. They are not the ones I need to be transformed into the image of. Instead of praying to have the characteristics and mannerisms they have, I need to be surrendering and praying for God to transform me into HIS image.

I’m not saying that I have never heard before that I am supposed to be more like Christ every day. God’s Word tells us that we are. I guess, though, I have looked at others and have admired the way they seem to be so close to the Lord. And it is good for people to be Godly examples for all to see. But ultimately, we all are to keep our eyes on our Lord and determine to allow the Holy Spirit to have full control over our thoughts, actions, and entire life so we can look more like Christ.

I think it’s hard for us as women not to compare ourselves with others. We look at ladies we think have it all together and find ourselves either trying to measure up to them, or we crumple down in defeat because we feel so inferior and unable to be like them. I have found, though, that even some of the ladies I thought had it all together, were quick to tell me how much of a mess they really felt like they were. That it was only by the strength of the Lord they were able to do anything.

And that’s the key. We realize that in and of ourselves, we are nothing. Absolutely nothing. But God! When we allow the Holy Spirit living within us to have control, we will be striving to bring glory and honor to Him. And when we are living through His power, when our eyes are focused on Him, the love and presence of God will be evident in the things we do.

We can be grateful that God puts other Godly women in our lives to encourage us and to be our mentors. We need that and we need each other. I know that I do. But allow me to encourage you to stop comparing yourself to others that you may think are perfect. Let’s start focusing more on the awesomeness of God and allow Him to live out through us.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father, as I contemplate Your glory, transform me more each day into Your Holy image. May I be a reflection of Your glory to those around me, not so that they will see me and desire to be more like me. No, Father, but that they will see You and long to be drawn closer to You just as I long to be closer to You each moment. Thank You Father, for the presence of Your Holy Spirit to guide our steps. May we continually relinquish control of our lives into Your hands for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

For more encouragement, visit Joan at joanwalkerhahn.com.

© 2021 by Joan Walker Hahn. All rights reserved.

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