When Transformation Becomes Beautiful

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This is a popular verse, usually referenced with respect to steering away from sinful thoughts and behaviors, and to be in the world, but not of the world. But as I was considering this verse recently, I saw a new twist about being transformed and my curiosity was peaked.

The word “transformation” comes from the Greek word μεταμόρφωσις, which means, metamorphosis.  In my opinion, the term metamorphosis more clearly describes what God means when he tells us to be transformed through His power. You see, when something experiences metamorphosis, it completely changes, on the inside and the outside. Once something has morphed from its old state, into its new state, that change is obvious to everyone.

An example of a true metamorphosis would be an insect that completely changes its biological structure. For instance, what starts out as a tiny larvae, turns into a worm, then builds a cocoon, and emerges as a butterfly. The insect completely changed from one state to another, from the inside out.

That is what Romans 12:2 is encouraging us to do in Christ – to allow Him to change us completely.  Not partially. Not just the areas that we dont mind changing. Not just the things that we wanted to change. But completely. So that He can create His masterpiece in us, even when we cannot see what He is building, just as I talked about in today’s Proverbs 31 Devotion.

A 19th century German philosopher named Friedrich Nietzsche was best known for his statement “God is dead”. The death of God movement in the sixties is sometimes technically referred to as “theothanatology” and promotes the belief that humans are no longer able to believe in any supernatural order since they themselves no longer recognize it – which basically means, that since there was no evidence that peoples lives and hearts were changing as a result of their belief in God, then He must certainly be dead.

Obviously to me, and anyone else who claims Jesus as the only Savior of the world, this is an extremely blasphemous, offensive statement, and a grossly false assumption, because we know and believe that the Holy Trinity is alive and well.

However, did Nietzsche have a point with his underlying comment that if you cant see real life change in people who claim to believe in God, then God must not really be present in their lives? I think he did.

You see, when we accept Jesus as our Savior, and commit to living a life that brings glory to Him, we are called to a radical transformation – not just one that we claim, but one that people can see happening in us.

This act of transformation begins with God rebuilding our heart from lost to saved, our mind from sinful to righteous, and then our life from mundane to purposeful.

When we truly undergo a radical transformation of the heart, mind and soul, our outward behaviors and actions will become a new creation, obvious to all who see us. So if we say we are in Christ, but there is no metamorphosis occurring in our life, are we really transformed?

People are usually not impressed by looking at an ugly gray cocoon, but are always impressed by the beauty and splendor of a butterfly when it emerges from that cocoon. Of course our goal for transformation through Christ is not to impress anyone, but our goal should be for others to see the beautiful transformation that has happened within us.

When people see physical evidence of what an invisible God is building in our lives, only then will they be interested in discovering Christ for themselves.

Even though we have no idea what He may be building, we can always have faith that it will be a masterpiece, just as we told in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. “

When God builds something beautiful, people notice.

How might God be transforming you, or building you, into something new?

8 Comments

  1. Anonymous on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 11:36 am

    I receive the daily Proverbs 31 devotions and today’s message was especially meaningful as I have taken the first step in making a badly needed “change” in my life. I then clicked on your blog and was further encouraged.
    Thank you for listening to His voice and obeying His commands and reaching out to help countless people you will only know about in heaven.
    May God continue to bless you and your outreach!



  2. Cheri Bunch on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Loved your devotion today, Tracie. And your blog post was a timely word for me . . . I needed it today. Thank you for sharing.
    With blessings,
    cheri



  3. mg on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    This is most amazing that the Lord led me to your blog after reading Proverbs 31, on this particular day. Yesterday, God gave me a song “LOOKING FOR THE CITY WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS THE LORD OUR GOD”. He dropped it in my spirit as I commuted to to school, yesterday, out of His graciousness and abundant love. And here you are on your blog confirming to a new reader who has never been on your blog before! His ways are beyond finding out!
    Thank you for listening to the voice of the Spirit. We never know who, out there in cyberspace, is being led to the Words of encouragement, instruction, admonition or confirmation that the God of the universe directs toward us.



  4. pat coombs on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 2:25 am

    I have been facing a Goliath. Your words reminded of who will fight the battle. I am wrapped in His cocoon. I needed to hear that today. It gave me courage thanks



  5. Anonymous on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Tracie, thank you for this intuitive message that i needed a whole lot this morning. God bless you, Tracie.



  6. Cypress Ministries on Monday, March 19, 2012 at 1:35 am

    It is so cool to read this blog post today! I read the devo on Friday and saved it, because it was something so simular to what I had written on Trusday! About seeing the brush strokes… and God being the Creator, and Painter– I could only see some of the strokes He was making on the canvas of my life as He paints the picture only HE can see.
    The I read this post and laughed because again He used you to finish the confirmation He was giving me… You are talking about the butterfly and it’s cacoon, and I have been thinking about Ps 91 and being hidden in His shadow until He is ready for me to emerge into what He would have for me… but in the meantime, HE does work inside of us FIRST!! So thankful that you followed God’s lead and held the pen to penn His thoughts that meant so much to me. Thank you.



  7. Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Just an FYI, Moses didn’t write the Psalms. David did.



  8. mk on Friday, November 29, 2013 at 8:06 am

    Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
    Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to
    give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!

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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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