1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
In our society, we love transformation stories. TV Shows like Extreme Home Makeover and Fixer Upper highlight incredible home renovation projects. By the end of the show, the home barely even looks recognizable. We love to see the before and after photos as we marvel over the radical makeover. In addition, the TV shows make it seem so easy! The neat editing work makes it all seem like it took thirty minutes to be completely transformed.
While we love to watch transformation stories, we find it much harder to actually transform personally. What the show doesn’t often reveal is the hours and hours of tough manual labor. Renovating a house often looks like a mess, with wood, tools, and rubble everywhere throughout the process. Yet, the workers always keep sight of the end goal. They envision the hope of a finished project as they press on during the difficult journey. Along the way, they experience setbacks and trials, but never give up.
In our own lives, we often find ourselves in the mess. It’s easy to look around and become discouraged. We begin to fall into the practices that prevent us from growing in our relationship with the Lord. We take our focus off of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. When this takes place, we lose sight of who we’re called to be and what we’re destined to be. From time to time, we need to be reminded of who we are, where our hope is, and how we should live, even in the midst of difficulties. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” In Christ, we are a new creation. By the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we are called to be transformed and live out our new identity. Today, consider what you are “making a practice” of on a regular basis. Does it line up with who you are in Christ? Read through Colossians 3:1-17 as you consider what it means to “take off your old self” and “put on your new self” in Christ.
By Billy Berglund
