Change Me
“...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...”
Romans 12:2
Before he became a regular on ESPN, Sports Journalist Paul Finebaum had a regular daily afternoon show on a local AM radio station in Birmingham, Alabama. I often tuned in on my way home from work. Of all the days to listen, Mondays were perhaps the most interesting.
Call after call from listeners (some who had begun their early evening cocktails a bit early) would give “their” take on how football plays over the weekend “should” have been played. Explanations for the failings of coaches, or players, or referees were plenty. “If I were coaching ...” was a common theme.
This Monday morning quarterbacking was of course an exercise in futility. The game was over, the scores were in – and to be honest, the “callers’” attempt to change the trajectory of their favorite team was a disconnect from reality.
When we focus only on the faults of others, it is an easy slide to all kinds of character flaws – perhaps even sins. I confess I am still – well into my 60th year now, struggling against an old familiar habit – thinking way too much about changing others and perhaps way too little about changing myself.
Do you ever find yourself doing that? “I wish they would drive faster! Why does he always talk about golf? I am so annoyed by that sound she makes when she eats! He seems so angry all the time! Why doesn’t that father pay more attention to his children? I wish they would realize how wrong ‘their’ political party is! I cannot believe they pull for that football team!” And so, it goes.
When we spend our time focusing on the faults of others, it gives us a kind of self-justifiable escape plan from giving equal time to our own. And, if I quieten down my judgmental rumblings, I quickly realize a lot of what needs changing in the world is not “out there,” but “in here ...” in my heart, my mind, my soul.
Paul’s word to the Romans is as pertinent today as it was when he first wrote it. It is easy to be ‘conformed’ to the ways of this world but being ‘transformed’ is an altogether different matter.
Perhaps we do not know where to start in the transformation business – Paul gives us some direction here too. “... be transformed,” implies something that happens from the outside first before it can begin on the inside. Hold tight and let me explain.
Almost everything about a life of discipleship comes as a gift – Jesus’ teaching, Jesus’ miracles – these were things that had to be heard and observed before they could be accepted and understood. When Jesus rises from the grave, He “breathes” the Holy Spirit upon and into the lives of His remaining apostles (John 20:22).
The transformation, then, did not begin with “trying harder,” (because let’s face it – that is hard indeed), but it began when Jesus’ followers were open to receiving that transformation.
Why is this so important ... to understand ... right now? I do not know about you, but I hear a lot... a lot ... these days about the “condition” of the world today. It would be easy for me to spend a lot of time pondering all those things “out there,” (often beyond my reach or control) that I think need to be “transformed.”
Yet, what if I opened myself up more to the Spirit of our Lord – and, like David’s beautiful prayer, really asked God – daily to “Create in ME a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within ME,” (Psalm 51:9-10).
That emphasis on “ME,” is mine, not that of the Holy text. Changing the world around me might start with God changing not what’s out there, but in here ... in me. Does that make sense?
During Max Lucado’s visit, I was struck by so many things he said and the images he shared. Among them is the story of the old preacher who so wanted revival in the world around him. After thinking about it, he got up from his chair, went out into his yard, drew a large circle and stood right in the middle praying, “Lord, I pray for revival, and let it begin with every person standing in this circle.”
This seems where real change begins – not in the other person, the other party, the other church – but “in me.”
That runs against the Monday-morning quarter-backing that the world so often employs – but then again, we followers of Jesus were not meant to be conformed to this world, but “transformed” into the likeness of Jesus. In the words of Paul McCartney’s song, “Let it be ... let it be.”
A Prayer
Equip me today, O God, with the humility which will keep me from pride and from conceit; the graciousness and the gentleness which will make me both easy to live with and a joy to meet; the diligence, the perseverance, and the reliability which will make me a good workman; the kindness which will give me a quick eye to see what I can do for others, and a ready hand to do it; the constant awareness of your presence, which will make me do everything as unto you. So grant that today people may see in me a glimpse of the life of my blessed Lord. This I ask for your love’s sake. Amen.
William Barclay, d. 1978
