Who or what do you want to become?

 

“As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed…” — 2 Corinthians 3:18

     No one remains unchanged throughout life. Every single day our hearts are being molded, our minds are being instructed, and our desires are being guided. We  are all continually being shaped...by what? I am glad you asked...

The primary instrument of that formation is our attention.

    What we choose to consistently focus on will eventually influence who we become. This is not "motivational language"...in my opinion, the self-help fad has gone too far...

This is actually grounded in Scripture and supported by how our minds work. I can also say, as I believe most would agree, that this is also confirmed by lived experience. Your heart follows where your eyes lead.

     If your attention is fixed on the world, using its standards, definitions of success, and constant noise, it should be of no surprise you when your life begins to look the same. Discipleship is a constant, you can deny it, but that does not make it untrue. You are being discipled / shaped by something...

Could it be your phone?

Your social media feed?

The people you spend the most time with?

What about your fears?

    Or, you can choose with intentionality to be shaped by Christ. There is no neutral ground between the two. It is one or the other, there is no option 'C'. From Genesis to present day it is obvious too, most of us do not openly reject Jesus. Instead, we often give Him what remains, like giving leftovers to the family dog or scraps to our chickens. A verse here. A prayer there. A brief moment at the end of the day. At the same time, many devote long stretches of focused, emotional, and undivided attention to everything else. Hours on your phone, or hours binging that new show, or is getting high and "vegging out" your thing? Then most have the nerve to question why their thoughts and attitudes do not reflect Christ.

     Progressive sanctification does not happen by accident. It requires vision. Intentionality. Vision depends on focus. Focus demands intentionality. This is not about obtaining more information, the Pharisees had plenty of that.  We just need more exposure.

     We need to fix our attention on Jesus. Learn His ways. Spend time with Him. Return to Him consistently. Over time, change will come. If you have ever just spent time in the Word or in prayer daily for any amount of time you have experienced this. Your tone will begin to shift. Your reactions will become more gracious. Your courage will increase. Your desires will come back into proper order. You will start to reflect what you have been beholding. You will be that light on a hill, salt to the world. Others will notice the difference. Not instantly, and not perfectly, but steadily and surely. Keep your eyes on Him long enough, and your life will begin to bear His likeness.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look fully into His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.”