transformers_transformed

Transformers or Transformed?, by Randall D. Kittle

As I was praying, the Lord asked me, “Why does My Church have so many transformers, when I have paid the price for them to be transformed?” With that I saw a caterpillar emerge from behind a toy robot, and climb up a branch to form a chrysalis.

Now for those of you who have been pretty busy for the last couple of decades, let me explain to you what a “transformer” is. In this case, we are not referring to anything that has to do with electricity. In the 1980’s and 90’s Hasbro launched a line of toys (later a TV series, comic books, and recently movies) that focused upon the transformers — giant alien robots who could transform themselves into vehicles and other objects. One minute the robot looked just like your ordinary car, blending in perfectly and drawing no attention to himself. But when the situation changed, he quickly altered to become — an alien soldier robot. When people came around whom he didn’t want to know his secret identity, he once again transformed back into the common, everyday object that would fit in and not be noticed.

Sadly, many believers are equally adept at being “transformers.” They are like chameleons, able to blend in and appear natural in almost any surrounding. At church they certainly appear like one of the sincere, sold-out saints. But at work they fit in so well no one would ever guess that they might be a Christian. The only thing constant and stable about their lives is that they are constantly changing. They always fit in no matter what situation or circumstance they find themselves in. At church or during a prayer time they may appear to make a change for the better, but when the situation dictates a more “prudent” course, they change back into being what they were before. One minute they appear very spiritual, while the next minute their cares, concerns, and values are just like the world. Since they appear to tolerate anything and stand for everything, the truth is their lives really stand for nothing.

As believers, we are not to be transformers who continually change whichever way the current breeze of popularity and acceptance is blowing. We are not to be conformed to the likeness of this world, but transformed into the likeness of Christ (see Romans 12:3 & 2 Corinthians 3:18). Whenever we truly encounter God and His transforming power impacts our lives, we will never be the same again. We will be changed, unable to go back where we were, unwilling to settle for what we once found acceptable or exciting. This is a process, a journey, not a singular event.

In the life of a butterfly, transformation is not a “once and done” event. First, the egg hatches and a baby caterpillar emerges to face the light of day. The caterpillar then grows larger by eating nearly constantly; shedding its skin several times as it enlarges. Next, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis — which is very different from either the egg or the caterpillar. And finally, a short time later, the chrysalis splits open and the butterfly emerges.

It is the same spiritually speaking. The transforming power of God working in our lives is not a “once and done” event. We are transformed … and we are being transformed. I was transformed when I surrendered my life to the Savior and made Him my Lord. I was further transformed as I read the Word of God and became discipled in the basic foundational beliefs of Christianity. When I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, once again I was transformed — changed from what I had been, and conformed more completely to the image of Christ. Just as a caterpillar never changes back into an egg and a chrysalis never changes back into a caterpillar, we, as believers must be progressively transforming — every change makes us less like our old fallen nature and more like Christ.

Let us never settle for being double-minded transformers when Jesus has paid the price for us to be transformed from glory to glory into His very likeness. Embrace God’s transforming power, and allow Him to change you ever-increasingly into the very image of Jesus Christ.