Throughout Lent, we’ll be publishing daily devotionals written and narrated by members of our congregation. This year, our theme is Transformed in Christ. Today's episode is narrated by Kate Allen, and features a reflection written by Roger Theimer, followed by an application written by Kate Allen.
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Thanks for listening!
Hello! I am Kate Allen and welcome to King of Kings’ Lenten Devotions, “Transformed in Christ”
Today is March 31st and this week we are reminded to Be Like Jesus with Commitment to Community
Today’s truth that transforms is: Be Kind to Yourself…You Are in a Process of Becoming
Our Scripture readings are from 2 Corinthians and Philippians
2 Corinthians 3
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Philippians 3
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
How are we “Transformed in Christ” and shaped to be more like Him?
Some have said, “Lord, help me become more like Christ and less like me.” Certainly, they mean that we would live more to our new nature in Christ and not give into the slavery of living for our old nature. But there is another important truth that needs to be highlighted. The more I become like Christ, the more I become myself. My personality is accentuated in Christ. My uniqueness is highlighted. I am the only one that can do this version of me. Being formed in Christ is a process of becoming myself, and I need to be patient with that process. That does not mean we will arrive this side of heaven. No! Our goal is not perfection. Let’s not take ourselves too seriously. Instead, let’s put our passion and joy in pursuing Jesus. We will grow along the way to become the best version of ourselves!
I turned 40 a few years ago. My biggest struggle with that milestone was the feeling that I had not yet “arrived.” I had thought by that age, I would have things all figured out. However, I was not the mom, wife, or Christian that I wanted to be. Our truth today reminds us that we will never have things all figured out. It reminds us that we are in the “process of becoming.” I have had to wrestle with this truth. The truth that the finish line is not on this side of heaven. The truth that our entire life is a process of change and growth to be the person Christ is calling us to be. The truth is, I need to remember that this is a gift. It is a gift that Christ continually calls us to more and is refining and growing each of us to be who He called us to be. I look back over my years of motherhood and am so thankful for the process. I am grateful for the years of growth and refinement. And I am grateful that Christ is not done and will continue to transform my life and my heart in the future. So, be kind to yourself. Be grateful for this gift. You are in the process of becoming.