My word for 2022 is “transformation.” A few weeks ago, as I was thinking and praying about the year ahead and setting goals, I noticed this word started showing up everywhere! The more I pondered it, the more excited I became! Not only because thinking about the transformation I have experienced in many different ways in my own life, but also because a foundational part of my personality is a longing for transformation… for things, people, the world and myself to be changed for the better!
God is most definitely in the business of transformation! That is why Jesus came to earth to die for our us, because without Him doing that, we were stuck in our sin with no ability to change. But because of His sacrifice on the cross, those of us who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior, have received the Holy Spirit and are gradually being sanctified/made holy. In other words, we are being transformed to look more and more like Christ!
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
We can probably all agree that God cares about spiritual transformation. But I also believe God cares deeply about our mental, emotional and physical health being transformed, too. He created all these parts of us, after all! And He doesn’t compartmentalize like we do. I know sometimes the change or healing we receive from Him doesn’t happen in the timing or way we think it should, and that can be really discouraging. We tend to blame God, or think He doesn’t care… but I think often it is the choices we make that keep us stuck. God will never force us to change. He doesn’t want puppets, He desires relationships! That is why He lets us choose whether or not we will participate with His transformative work in our lives.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.”
Romans 12:1-2
True transformation is only possible if we permit the Holy Spirit to change our thinking by reading and meditating on the Word of God. Our minds are a mess unless they are bathed regularly in the truth! And once we have right thinking, the will of God and our will become the same. I believe a close relationship with the Great Physician is essential for good health!
My logo is a butterfly. In my opinion, they are a perfect symbol of transformation. What once only had the ability to crawl can now fly! To be honest with you, I’ve spent too much time “crawling” through life and feeling stuck. I’ve chosen to conform to the pattern of this world more than I would like to admit. But my deepest desire is to be used by God to further His kingdom and make a difference in lasting ways. And in His kindness, He has been revealing so much to me lately and giving me more clarity about what that looks like in my life! These years of waiting and wondering are beginning to make sense. They were needed for me to grow and change (be transformed), and become more confident in who He created me to be. If there is one thing I am now certain of, it is that I am supposed to write! With what we as a collective society have all been going through these past couple of years, it is clear that there is such a need for encouragement, renewed hope and healing! And it is true that God often uses people as His instruments to accomplish these things. In a way that only He can, I believe He will use me sharing various aspects of my life and health journey to somehow make a difference in yours…. just like He so often uses your stories to make a difference in mine. So this blog is me taking that step of obedience by allowing my passions, gifts, convictions and insights from Him to come together in unique ways that are “Chelsey, naturally!”
Sweet Asher (the daughter of one of my best friends) painted this for me and gave it to me shortly after I had decided my logo for the blog was going to be a butterfly! I had not told anyone yet. It blessed me so much and really felt like a confirmation from God that I was on the right track and doing His will! This painting sits on my kitchen counter now to remind me that my heart for transformation is from Him and for His glory!
Because we live in a broken world, full transformation will never be realized on this side of eternity. But if you are a believer, don’t ever forget that you have this to look forward to:
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”
Philippians 3:20-21
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:1-5
If you want to see a beautiful example of transformation on the big screen, go see “Redeeming Love” this weekend! This is easily my favorite book, and I am so excited to go see the movie with my college small group! It came out in theaters today and is based on the Book of Hosea in the Bible.
“Caterpillar to a butterfly, risen to another life….risen to another life.
Yeah I’m comin’ alive with You, I’m comin’ alive with You.
I was livin’ a lie ’til You, I’m comin’ alive with You.”
Have you chosen a word or Bible verse for the year? If so, I’d love to know!
I’m so glad you’re writing again. God has certainly gifted you as a writer. I believe this verse is very important for born again Christians to understand and you explained it beautifully. Thank you.
Thank you so much! That means a lot!