09/07/2020
We are told in scripture that we will be transformed, or become a new creature in Christ, but What does this process look like? Are we transformed instantly in the twinkling of an eye, spend our lives suffering through lesson after lesson, or dance our way before God into a new life?
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
In fact, our transformation does begin suddenly at the moment we first believe, but then it continues on through our lifelong journey with Jesus as we suffer through some hard life lessons that remold us, and days of amazing happiness in which we are taught to dance in our faith with incredible joy. We are each made new in this way, through instant quickening followed by lessons rooted in tribulation and great joy.
Last month I started a short poem that speaks to our transformation, and ties all of these changes together, but much like my own journey of faith it has undergone many revisions to reach what I will share with you here. Even though I am letting you read it today it is not complete, and I will continue to modify it each time I read it anew... poems are transformed by the poet like our God continues to revise us throughout our lives... always thrilled with what He has written, and yet, not quite satisfied with it in some way.
Dances with God
By Rich Forbes - 08/01/2020
How long I thought my faith a journey
Placing one foot before the other
But then one day I heard God’s voice
Come dance with Him was His druther
As I swayed I felt my soul’s release
Held tight in the arms of Christ
Then I laid my head on His shoulder
A Waltz, Holy music, danced thrice
Where once I’d sought Him by journey
Placing one foot before the other
I found His love, And felt His rhythm
In a song; I’d dance with no other
With joy and tears I’d dosey-doe,
Dancing through the pain I’d once known
But in the end I’d suffer again
If by two step He’d carry me home
So where are each of us today? Are we still thrilled by the words of that incredible first poem, song, or dance of faith that Jesus penned for us at the moment we first believed, or has the poet/songwriter revised the words, the rhythm, or the melody that we now know, and started our constant walk of change, from joy, to lament, to solemn hymn, that perfects us, and makes us new every morning?
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the first poem of faith that you wrote into me, and the thrilling dance of belief that quickened me as I took the hand of Jesus. I thank you too for that first revision made to my life as you started me along my journey, and the process by which I find myself made new each day. Lord you bless me with every correction, and although some are hard to endure, and much of what is erased seems so Indispensable to me, I find the pain and suffering of those difficult alterations always lead me to joy in the morrow. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who never changes, and yet rewrites the poem, the story, and the song of my life. I praise you for the transformations made in me each day, and the new dance we enjoy as you lead me towards an eternity with you. Great are you Father, and merciful is your hand that strikes the lines of imperfect verse from my life. Your grace which flows like music over me, and forgives my missteps through the blood of your Son Jesus, is my greatest joy, and glorious are you in whom I am becoming. Hear my prayers each night Father as I ask you to make me new in the morning, and to teach me the lessons of faith that I might be with you forevermore... made pure and perfect by your hand. You are forever the author of my life, the poet of my heart, and the songwriter that leads me in the dance of faith I thrill to each day. Come quickly Lord Jesus, and find me pleasing in your revisions Holy Father.
Rich Forbes