20. My transformation is the natural outcome of a life lived in relationship with Jesus.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

Is there anything keeping you from trusting that simply focusing on your relationship with God as Jesus, Spirit, and Father, is sufficient to bring about your transformation and a life that is full and abundant?

What do you find the most difficult in your relationship with God? Can you tell Him this?

What are you finding to be the best thing about your life with God? Can you thank Him for this?

Do you have a picture of the “you” you would like to be someday? Can you invite Jeusu to turn this picture into a reality?

In the world of nature, growth is a natural process. Sometimes people try to grow things in an “unnatural” way, using techniques and substances that in some way manipulate the normal growing process, but this is unfortunate. This may be the reason that organic farming is gaining so much attention. Organic farming grows things the natural way, without manipulation.

If we were to apply the term “organic” to our spiritual lives, what might such growth look like? How could we participate in a natural, unmanipulated process of transformation? A possible answer to this can be found in John 15 that Jesus spoke to His disciples: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (verse 5, NIV).

The fruit of our transformation is the natural outcome of abiding or living in a reciprocal loving relationship with Jesus. If we truly desire to live in a friendship relationship with Jesus, it will both create our transformation and it will require it. To be able to live in this relationship with Jesus we will need a transformation that makes us better at holding friendships, loving without getting something in return, and knowing, desiring and doing what is best for another.

When we put our focus on anything other than our relationship with Jesus, we are manipulating the fruit. When we make our relationship with Jesus the primary goal, the naturally occurring, wholistic, outcome is the transformation of our souls. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grape vine and addresses this when He says that apart from Him, when we become detached from the vine, when we pursue anything other than our connection to the vine, Jesus, we will accomplish nothing.

A loving, living relationship with Jesus is the natural, organic process that transforms each part of our soul; heart, mind and body.