Transformation according to Webster is a change in someone’s appearance or form
Conformity is described simply as an adaption, such as an umbrella protecting you from the storm
Paul writes to the Romans: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
So according to Paul, there is a fine line between the two
With conformity you simply learn to imitate,
as a chameleon changes its colors to keep itself safe
With transformation there is an internal shift that lifts the veil with all it entails and in dwells an abundance that cracks the shell
For me, conformity simply masked the casket whilst my spirit was slowly dying and hidden
Giving the devil plenty of time and space to plunder
I wondered how long I could continue with my outward veneer
Until it occurred to me that the spiritual maggots didn’t complain about the menu
They feasted on my silence, and transgressions that I hid out of fear
Fear of the millions of conjunctions I could come up with to connect every lie to sigh
Clearing room in my throat for the imminent why and but
But my imagination was corrupted
My conformation was disrupted
The time and energy spent on hiding my darkest secrets from people who were hiding there darkest secrets from me
Instead we could better use the discovery for healing and recovery
There is where my brokenness became defined
The painful permeation that disregarded my hesitation
It crept on me slow with no delineation
I could not and still can not describe the depth of how I felt
People were concerned for me and worried yet not more than I worried for myself
It is hard to seek help
It was so hard to admit that I was not myself
Yet who was I
I was broken and afraid
I would only shed my tears when I sat alone
I was so deep into my addictions
Self medicating without prescriptions
I had buried my convictions in a shallow grave in the cold
There was a flicker of a flame that quickly consumed me somewhere deep inside
That set ablaze everything as far as I could see with my eyes
In that refining fire I laid
In that fire I died
Because Jesus found me in that fire and brought me back to life
I’ve suffered a lot of heartbreak and given far more
Each of the broken shards I’ve collected from the scattered wreckage on the floor
I’ve given to Him
He mended them together and in His hands came out far better
We become the object of our focus
I was so deeply buried in my pain and self disdain
That my refrain felt as unheard as if I was throat-less
We often fight so hard to eradicate our sin
That we miss the lesson that it was left to teach
As long as we continue to hate the darkest parts of our soul
We’ll only be half loved, half hearted, and half whole
The first step to healing is accepting your broken parts
Learning to love the parts of yourself that are hidden deep in the dark
Understanding that God made every part of you even the ones you don’t like
Jesus wants to meet even your least admirable pieces and bring all of you into relationship with Him
In the light
I thank Jesus that He died for me while I was knee deep in my sin
So that no man could ever get the credit
For my blood bought salvation I could never become un-debted
It was in my brokenness that His strength was perfected
The one road that I needed I couldn’t see
I was stuck in the paralysis of my analysis
That one road was He
JESUS
I used my trust issues to stay in bondage which deceivingly seemed safe
He allowed the circumstances that I faced
To mold me and show me how to seek His face
Before me He painted a perfect portrait of my purpose
James, I’ve never left you nor will I ever forsake you
You are my beloved and to me you will never be worthless
But if it is your time and this darkness you encounter
Do not give up
If you feel empty yet there is a light that you can see dimly
He will help you stand up
Jesus said “come to Me all those who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest for your soul”
Jesus said “Bring me your pain and in exchange I will give you my peace”
I love you and if you want to hide for now I will let you
But if you are ready to come out and see the light of the sun
In my embrace you are secure
Every time you fall I will catch you
You are His most precious miracle since He hand sewn the cord of your umbilical
Transformation is so necessary but it is painful to pass through fire
A transformation from a life to which you can never return
The beauty is that we have the same promise that God made Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jacob
That He will ALWAYS be with us.
He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.
He will send a messenger before you, who will prepare your way ahead.
Where you go, so will He, and in this we can trust
If you’re being called into a season of healing He’s already swept clean the path set before you and cleared the brush
There is no one alive who to you can describe
The wealth of love that He has reserved specifically for you
It is a love that you feel and can not be put into words
A love you so greatly deserve
His light breaking through utter darkness
It is your transformation