I heard this quote a few months ago. A life not evaluated, is not worth living. Recently the Lord showed me…
“A life over evaluated, is idolized.”
When we feel our purpose is to pursue perfection, instead of Jesus, we have stepped into self idolatry. Not the I think I’m so amazing, pride driven, self worship. But the I care so much about what people think of me, and how they perceive me, self worship.
Today in my quiet time, I read a verse that I’ve seen several times before, but it hit me in a different way. It sunk a little deeper.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
I’ve always read this verse from the perspective of a calling God has on a person’s life. The caller is the keeper type of mentality. He’s going to finish what he began. Today I read it with new eyes. He who began a good work in you… in you… in you. Those words stood out. This inner transformation was initiated by God, and will be completed by God. Not me, and my pursuit of perfection. HE began the good work, and HE will complete it.
Does this mean we can we live life full of compromise under the guise that transformation is only dependent on God? If only it was that easy! It’s very clear that transformation is a choice. God asks us to not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Both God initiating change, and our willingness to say yes are required for true transformation. God is so gracious to give us the free will to choose Him, and the sovereign plans He has for us.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
It’s easy to take up the heavy yoke of chasing transformation without the help of the Holy Spirit. Especially in our culture of self help, be the best you, which is great, but has a low ceiling. The world will continue to throw you new books, podcasts, and classes. God’s original design was for you to have Him as your Helper.
When Jesus is your savior, the Holy Spirit makes your heart His home. Aka the creator of the universe is nestled inside you, filling you with His warm love. It almost sound unfathomable. This proximity to your core allows the Holy Spirit to slowly change your heart to be more like His.
“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
All Jesus asks for is your faithfulness to Him. He will do the hard work of transforming you. You only have to be willing to say yes. (Easier said that done.) He will never leave you void. He won’t ask you to give up something, without plans to fill that space. What I’ve learned is a lot of times, that space is filled with more of Him.
I say all of this to encourage your heart to lay down the heavy yoke of perfection, and pick up the light yoke of freedom in Jesus. He started the transformation, and he will complete it.
Sydnie Bonin 