October 2004
Paul

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized. -Acts 9:18

Living Transformationally

It took a blinding light to change Saul into Paul. A penetrating and shocking light revealed what he had become in his zealousness and opened him to the possibility of what he could become in Christ. The scales fell from his mind and spirit, as well as from his eyes. He saw loving grace in Jesus. He saw ruthlessness in himself. He saw the truth.

We are meant to be changed because of this grace that God has shown to us in the selflessness of Jesus. We are meant to be impressed-even shocked. The presence of Jesus speaks a truth to us about this path we are on as we try to achieve goodness by our zealousness. Jesus shows us a better way to goodness. He shows us the path of grace that relies solely on God's love. He invites us to walk the path of love by our trust and selflessness, through sacrifice and obedience. It is the path less traveled that Jesus himself chose.

Saul-now Paul-could see that he would be living and loving differently than he had before. Even before he could explain the change or plan the priorities that would govern his newness, he was already becoming it. Explaining and planning are sometimes the consequence of change and transformation, rather than the cause. When Jesus declares you new, you are that already, and the mind and manners will hasten to catch up with this truth.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "We must seek to be what we want to become." We can start acting now the way we want always to be acting later. We can change-our habits, our practices, our thinking-and let the newness in. Our congregations can change-in worship, in outreach, in openness-and let the newness in. Our world can change-with justice, with peace, with community-and let the newness in. Grace has made it possible.

Where is your congregation most in need of renewal?

Prayer: Cause the scales to fall, O Lord, and give us sight to see ourselves as you see us. Remake us as new creations, living and loving the world for the sake of Jesus. Amen.