TRANSFORMATION
GUIDING STATEMENTS
God deeply desires an intimate relationship with me but, in order to more fully participate in this relationship, I must change, be transformed.
The transformation of “me” will require intention and effort
The quality and depth of my desire are more important than the effort I make.
God cares more about my desires than my behaviors.
With the help and guidance of the Spirit, I can train my body to follow my desires by choosing appropriate disciplines to practice.
My mind—my thoughts and feelings—are a critical part of the “me” that must also be transformed.
How I receive “involuntary disciplines,” that is the unplanned events of my life, will determine how they transform me, whether for good or not.
The most important thing about my journey of transformation is that I invite Jesus to share it with me.
I cannot make “a new me.” However, I can make an effort to place myself where the Spirit can make “a new me.”
The result of my ongoing transformation will be increased relational capacity. I will have greater ability to hold deep and healthy relationships with Jesus, and with others.
The benefit of my transformation is that I will experience more love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, gentleness, self-control, goodness and faithfulness with others, and with Jesus.
The process of transformation is a journey that takes much time, in fact, a lifetime.
God’s grace is displayed in His patience with and forgiveness of my “slowness” on the journey.
God will happily accept responsibility for my transformation if I let Him—He will see that it happens.
My transformation is not what gets me into heaven, but it does prepare me to enjoy heaven.
My love for Jesus is shown by the effort I make to be transformed so I can participate in a relationship with Him.
My love for myself is shown by my desire to give Jesus the “best me I can be.”
I’ve come to realize that being transformed requires me to let go of many things I’ve become attached to.
Pain is one of the primary methods the Spirit uses to help me in my transformation.
My transformation is the natural outcome of a life lived in relationship with Jesus.