01/31/2025
“New Year; New You” is a common advertising and motivating quote used to encourage people to make changes to become healthier. The image of the calendar changing from one year to the other seems to motivate something inside of us to make changes we know we should have previously made, but for some reason we make excuses to not start. We create in our mind the vision for how our lives would look if we made the changes and this image is supposed to motivate us to stay the course with the changes.
Several years ago, I made the decision to start a workout regimen at the local YMCA. The YMCA was offering a special package where a fitness trainer would meet with you for two sessions to establish a plan including benchmarks and desired results. During my first session, the trainer assessed my present ability and introduced me to a variety of the machines. In our second session, he gave me his plan for me and encouraged me to start with reasonable expectations. I told him I planned to work out every weekday. He advised me to set realistic goals I could reach early in the regimen, so I would not become discouraged when this new habit did not easily fit into my schedule. He said, “People who try to make drastic changes tend to quit soon after beginning because they become discouraged when they don’t meet their goals.” I scoffed at his advice and sadly I must admit within three weeks, I was not going to the gym any days of the week.
Transformation is one of my Words for the Year, guiding my decisions, dreams, and expectations. I have changes I want to make in my life to become more organized, more efficient, healthier, more present in relationships, and more committed in my daily spiritual disciplines. I know each of these goals, when successfully applied to my life, will bring about transformation. I will be a different person. Yet, I understand that each of these goals will not come to pass overnight. They require daily discipline and a daily commitment to take the little steps that lead to the transformation I want to seek.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes, “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” Paul’s emphasis on “being transformed” highlights the beauty of God’s transformation in our life that continues as we grow into the image of the Lord. The momentary transformation at the point of salvation is the beginning of a transformation that dives deeper into our being and restores us, makes us new, and changes our decision-making, our relationships, and our whole life.
As I proceed into this new year, I need to remember that transformation is a daily change occurring in me through the Lord at work in me. Each day requires the decision to have discipline and to be intentionally working toward the desired changes. I will not be transformed in my fitness goals in one day. I won’t reach my organizational goals in one day. Yet, as I take each step toward those goals every day, I will see the transformation I desire.
As we are almost through the first month of the year, what small steps do you need to take today, tomorrow, and into the future to reach some of those goals you established for your life? Where do you need to surrender your goals for transformation into the hands of Jesus? He wants to be our strength to reach goals in our spiritual, mental, relational, physical, and emotional lives. Transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. As we take daily steps toward these goals, we will see the change we desire.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are at work transforming our lives into your image. We are grateful and want to experience the fullness of life. Help us stay on course with our goals for transformation in our physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
