Transformational Change
by Tammy Iund Woodard
Monday - 5.3.21
There were 3 pots of boiling water. The chef dropped potatoes in one pot, eggs in one pot and coffee beans in the third pot. The potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans each faced the same adversity– the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently.
The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.
In Acts 6:14, “We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” The word change in this scripture means to transform. The religious leaders of Jesus’ time did not understand the type of change that Jesus was bringing. Transformational change. Jesus transformed lives, he transformed systems and he transformed cultures.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus is the same: He’s still transformational. The mission He gives His followers is to transform their cities and their cultures as they themselves are being transformed. In Jeremiah 29, the letter to the exiles states, “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” God instructed the people to insert themselves into the culture of that day, not to conform to it, but to transform it. We are to BE the change, just as Jesus IS THE CHANGE.
One of the biggest changes we witnessed in Acts 9 is the change of Saul to Paul. Saul was persecuting and killing Christians and thought he was actually doing the right thing. God himself appeared to Paul to let him know he needed to make a change. How difficult do you think it would be for the Christian community of that day to accept Paul?
The character and mission of God has not changed. However, the methods by which God does things definitely changes. How many miracles did Jesus do and most were executed differently every time. It’s why we must know the word of God AND we must know the VOICE of God. We must listen for Him to speak to us in our lives. The question we like at CCCoG is: What is God saying? We see many changes in our world today. These changes can be scary and frustrating. The question was asked of me the other day: Do you have a fear of being deceived? Answering honestly, sometimes I do. When I feel that fear cropping up, I go back to the word of God and prayer. I know the voice of God in my life. I measure everything against what the word of God says.
God is the most amazing kind of transformational change. He wants his followers to bring that kind of change to the world they live in. While our mission may be the same: transform the world, each of us have different skills and gifting’s to execute that mission.
I would ask, “Which are you? When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean? “
Call to Action
Pray and reflect on the following scriptures this week.
Acts 9
Jeremiah 29:1-23
Romans 13
Reflections
Do you think God does things differently or always the same?
Do you ever fear being deceived?
How difficult is it for you to change your mind or your methods?
What is God saying to you about any change in your life?
