God, You Change Me!

Much as we might wish it were true, growth doesn’t come by the opposite extreme, either. Waiting passively for God to wave a magic wand over you and pronounce, “You’re changed!” is like kissing a frog and expecting it to materialize into the man of your dreams. You’re not likely to be zapped by an instant, character-transforming lightning bolt from heaven. God doesn’t remove our sinful desires, attitudes, or behavior apart from willing involvement on our part. That isn’t His way of working. How well I know.When Jim, my husband, finished his surgical training, we didn’t have much money. In his first years in practice the money he brought home covered the mortgage, food, and a car. After tithing, precious little was left, certainly not enough for the new wallpaper I craved, or the furniture I looked at longingly. Being home every day with two small children gave me plenty of time to look at what I had—and I didn’t like it.Showing Jim picture after picture of decorator-designed rooms in magazines didn’t help. “We don’t have the money” was always his response. And like all down-to-earth, sensible men, he added, “I know our furniture isn’t fancy but it’s serviceable. The sofa will probably last another ten years.”But my desire for new furniture, new wallpaper—even a new house—didn’t go away. How could it, when I was feeding my cravings and my discontent with trips to the mall, furniture stores, one-stop decorator shops, and designer boutiques?

“Dear God,” I’d pray, “please change Jim’s mind. Couldn’t You make him willing to put it on Visa since we don’t have the cash?” Did God answer my prayer? Of course. I got an answer. Just not the one I was looking for.The Holy Spirit impressed on my mind: Poppy, you need to change your focus. By feasting your eyes on all the things you can’t have, you fill your heart with discontent and unhappiness. Let me touch this area of your life. I want you to experience freedom from the love of things, which dominates your mind and determines your moods.Change is hard work! No wonder we wish God would wave a magic wand and, without any self-denial or discipline on our part, accomplish His purposes in us. Life would be so much easier if God would heed Nike’s slogan: Just do it! But that isn’t how He works. God is not a genie in a bottle who responds to our commands. He instructs us what to do through His Word and provides the power to change through His Holy Spirit, but then He tells us to work out our salvation. In other words, He says, “Act on what I’ve revealed to you.” When God tells us to “just do it,” He gives a heavenly command.I could have waited the rest of my life for God to miraculously change my grumbling and discontented attitude. But if I had done nothing to cooperate with the process, nothing would have happened. And I would have become bitter and disillusioned with God.

Let's talk: What are you waiting for God to do in your life? What might He be waiting for you to do?

This post is an excerpt from my ebook, I'm Too Human to Be Like Jesus. I am sharing a series of three excerpts from this book over the next couple of weeks. Click here to sign up for blog posts so you don't miss a post! Click here for the first excerpt.If you would like purchasing information for I'm Too Human, click here or visit the book's Amazon page.Blessings,Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive! Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.