Awakening

The Phoenix rises from the ashes. Cinderella rises from the cinders to become a queen. The Ugly Duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Pinocchio becomes a real boy. The frog becomes a prince. The Cowardly Lion gets his courage, the Scarecrow his brains, and the Tin Woodman a new heart. They are all transformed into the very thing they never thought they could be.

Why are we enchanted by tales of transformation? I can’t think of a movie or novel or fairy tale that doesn’t somehow turn on this. Why is it an essential part of any great story? Because it is the secret to Christianity, and Christianity is the secret to the universe. “You must be born again” (John 3:7). You must be transformed. Keeping the Law, following the rules, polishing up your manners—none of that will do. “What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people” (Gal. 6:15). Is this not the message of the Gospel? Zacchaeus the trickster becomes Zacchaeus the Honest One. Mary the whore becomes Mary the Last of the Truly Faithful. Paul the self-righteous murderer becomes Paul the Humble Apostle.

And us? I doubt many of us would go so far as to say we’re transformed. Perhaps we have changed a bit in what we believe and how we act. We confess the creeds now, and we’ve gotten our temper under control . . . for the most part. But “transformed” seems a bit too much to claim. How about “forgiven and on our way”? That’s how most Christians would describe what’s happened to them. It’s partly true . . . and partly untrue, and the part that’s untrue is what’s killing us. We’ve been told that even though we have placed our hope in Christ, even though we have become his followers, our hearts are still desperately wicked. And of course, so long as we believe that our hearts remain untouched, unchanged, we will pretty much live untouched and unchanged. For our heart is the wellspring of life within us.

(Waking the Dead , 56–57) John Eldredge

The one who came to serve

"Sacrifice certainly isn't the law of our society. America has become the land of short cuts and half baked commitments. We want it easy and we want it now. Looking out for number one has become the silent mantra of our day spoken loudly by our deeds if not by our words. But we are learning a more noble paradigm. Every week we feel the call to live up to a courageous way of life that demands sacrifice and self-denial. The challenge to lay down our lives for our faith, our family, and worthy causes is now a passion in each of our hearts. We do not find our motivation and strength in the possible payback or payoff, but from the One who came to serve, not to be served. I am speaking of our ultimate hero, Jesus Christ. May He empower each of us heroes to live nobly as we go out to face our day today!"

Humble ourselves...

"Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.'"
Thomas Merton

1915 - 1968

"I think we all agree we have much to learn. That's not the challenge. The problem arises when we become selective about who might bring us the lesson. May we be open to the wisdom and truth that often comes to us from a parent, a teacher, a brother or sister, a pastor, whomever. The essential thing is to learn, not to protect some image we attempt to project. Life always goes down easier with a healthy dose of humility. 'Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.' Blessings to all you who are living in humility before God!"