Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Changed


“I will never be the same again, I can never return, I’ve closed the door. I will walk the path, I’ll run the race and I will never be the same again.”

~ lyrics by Geoff Bullock ~

Some people have dramatic conversion stories. But I'm not one of them. Pre-Jesus Tami wasn't much different than the current version. God didn't rescue me from a life of addiction or abuse. I had no sordid history with boys. My family made me feel loved and cared for. I've never been one to break the rules. My biggest display of the rebel within occurs when I wear my tiger-striped bra no one sees.

But one shouldn't mistake my lack of behavioral metamorphosis as an indication of God's ineffectiveness in my life. On the contrary, I am forever changed by His touch. You may not see the difference, but it's there. I notice it when I'm tempted to yell at my kids and instead take a deep breath and turn the other way. It shows up when I'd rather not stop to talk, but listen anyway. I see it when I decide to trust my husband or e-mail an encouraging thought to someone I barely know or exercise patience with the slow poke in front of me. I know I am forever changed when I'm able to say no to temptations and accept His will even when it doesn't make sense. These reactions are not my human nature. It must be God. So even though my path to Christ has been relatively uneventful, it is nonetheless powerful, for a transformation has taken place.

He has done a major work in my heart.

What about you? Do you wish your conversion story were more flashy? Do you have trouble seeing what He's rescued you from? Don't dismiss the work He's done in you. You'll find His imprint in your heart.

If you'd like to read what others have to say about this quote, join our host from across the pond at MiPa's Monologue.

3 comments:

Miriam Pauline said...

My friend we are so alike. No dramatic change in my conversion either, but the interior change is so very real. I am so thankful that the things that are changed are changes in behavior before they ever affect anyone else. The difference I know in my life is dramatic even when others don't see it. Thanks for writing today my friend.

Cindy said...

I love it that you say they're not dramatic. Truly. In the age of reality TV and drama being the center stage, it's rare to here these words.
The thing though is that Tami when you refrain for yelling at the children or you submit to your husband, and you go against what you want, it is a big deal. It is revolution.
And gosh, I love your lists! They always hit me right there and make me look harder at myself.
Thank you for your words. And your lists!
All thru Him,
Cin

Bonnie W said...

I appreciated your blog so much today Tami. You are so right - we don't have th have a dramatic conversion experience to see the fruit of His hand at work in our lives. Sometines I wonder if God has to do the dramatic because we just aren't listening to the still small voice He would rather use.LOL!