As God Enters

“And so we are transformed much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”
II Corinthians 3:18, The Message translation

As God enters--those three words toward the end of the verse caused me to pause, to ponder, to question.

As God enters—how does that happen; how does God enter my life? I want to be transformed; I want to become brighter and more beautiful; I want to become like him; I want God to enter.

I prayed, God, I don’t want to miss your voice here, your message for me. How do you enter my life? I sat; I listened. Three pictures emerged.

The first picture was a door barely open; it was really just cracked. I heard God’s still small voice say, Sue entry begins when you learn Truth. For you, scripture memory is an important key to cracking the door, starting you on the road to becoming more like me.

I remembered memorizing II Corinthians 4:7 some time ago. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay …” (some translations say “unadorned clay pots”). I memorized Truth, God's treasure lives in my clay pot; it was a beginning. God cracked the door to my heart.

In the second picture, God pushes the door open a bit farther. I become aware

of certain things—OK, lies—I’ve come to believe consciously or sub-consciously that define how I react to life. Digging out the Truth that sets the lie on its head is an important step for me.

The lie I believed was to have significant ministry I need a role, a title, you know … the stuff that make business cards worth their money. He showed me that I had a ways to go in believing the Truth that it is the unadorned clay pot that holds His treasure, not the role I'm filling, or the title I hold. I began praying II Corinthainas 4:7. I really wanted it to characterize my life.



The last picture is one of God opening the door wide—a very grand gesture, like a parent welcoming a prodigal. This is when God uses a real life situation to illustrate His Truth. (Sometimes this welcome is a hard welcome.)

The door blew wide open; God’s answer evident. Three times over the course of two days, three female friends approached and shared how my words ministered to them.

LOL!

The description of my encouragement toward them had nothing to do with a Bible study I led; a talk I gave; a retreat I facilitated; each was in the context of everyday conversation. You are kidding! That encouraged? YES!

I think I’m getting it. God wants to use me, an ordinary clay pot without a title to print on a business card, to let His light shine.

“Knowledge of the Truth doesn’t transform you; you need to trust the Truth. When you trust the Truth, you experience the Truth. When you experience the Truth, you are transformed.” Bill Thrall

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

PS. These are pictures of our front door. I would love to have you enter too. We could share a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy each other's friendship.