Do you ever wish God would wave a magic wand over you and remove all your character flaws? I mean, wouldn’t that be nice? All our warts, bumps, and ugly all gone – presto! I know that’s how I feel sometimes; this whole transformation process is not pretty, however, I have learned some secrets along the way.
First of all, God can’t get the ball rolling without our surrender, and I guess that’s where the messiness comes in. When I was reading the Purpose Driven Life, it was noted that the problem with living sacrifices is that they have a tendency to crawl back off the altar! If we want God to transform us into His image we must be willing to surrender, and that may mean putting ourselves back on the altar, perhaps even several times a day. Galatians 5:16-17 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.” Can you see where it gets messy with this battle of flesh opposing spirit?! The Apostle Paul said, “What I want to do I do not do and what I don’t want to do I do”.
Thank God that Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, who lie [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit”. Thank God that He even took our condemnation away. God knows our struggles and that this process takes time. If God gave us freedom too quickly, pride might consume us. It’s better for us if God sets us at liberty one area at a time so that we appreciate our freedom more.
Don’t be discouraged! The Bible tells us that; “He who has begun a good work in you will carry it onto completion”. (Philippians 1:6) When condemnation comes upon you, use the word as your weapon and remind Satan that you walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. (Remember: There is a battle going on within that fights against this transformation!) You may fail along the way, but God promises to be strong in our weaknesses. So don’t let discouragement bring you down!
Thank God for the work He has done in you, and for what He continues to do in you. Some days you may feel the process is slow, but give praise that you are on the right path. When you have a rough day, Moms, (and we all do!) just ask the Lord to forgive you, and then keep on surrendering so that God can continue the good work in you.
God calls us clay pots and some of us have more cracks then others! But praise God; when we allow Him to put us on the potter’s wheel He will shape us and mold us into the perfect and beautiful image of His Son, removing all the warts, bumps, and uglies along the way!
In Surrender,
Carolyn Cowan
Mother’s In Prayer, CIP
