Called to be Changed

When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. Luke 13:12,13 (New American Standard Bible)

Instantaneous change! Just like when Jesus commanded the storm to be still at sea. Just like when He commanded Lazarus to rise from the dead. Just like when He performed any number of other miracles during His years on this earth. This woman was freed from 18 years of spiritual and physical bondage. She could finally stand erect and proclaim her praise to God. She had no doubt of her complete healing. She had no doubt God had moved on her behalf and brought immediate change to her life.

Can you imagine this woman experiencing all of this, leaving the synagogue, and then telling herself, “That was great but I am not use to this new way of life, so I choose to return to the way things were. The way I have grown accustomed to living my life.” Then proceeding to place herself back into her former bent over position! The sheer absurdity of that thought leaves one laughing. Not this woman! She would spend the rest of her life embracing, delighting in, and celebrating the change! There is no question the improvement was worth holding on to. Every day would be a reminder to her of a new way to live her life….in freedom of posture, mobility, and capability.

Is that not God’s desire for each one of us? Many times we look at the moment when we received Christ as a turn around point in our life. We instantly went from being alienated from God to becoming His son or daughter. The indwelling of His Spirit in us instantly gave us the ability to understand His Word, to live differently, and to communicate with God on a personal level. But God wants us to know that many changes will continue to take place in our lives on a daily basis. Just like Jesus saw this woman’s condition and called her over to Himself, He continually sees our conditions and calls us to Himself. There is a process of transformation, renewal, and growth that is on going. May we never think God is finished with the changes He has in mind for us. Some are slight and some are drastic. I want them all!

I wrote this devotional just over four years ago. God continues to work His changes in me. Of late, those changes pertain to relationships. Continuing to learn the balance between what to take to people and what to take to God alone. Learning to trust God to be enough when I am so use to looking to individuals for the meeting of needs. Learning to be content in times of solitude that God initiates. Ever learning. Ever changing.

Father, You still have much to do in me. Sometimes the process is delightful and sometimes it is painful. But I trust You. Amen.

Potter's Hand - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRy79VQh-KI

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.