A Change In Me

Why don't i see a change in me?

Sometimes some Christians wonder why there is no change or maybe very little change in them. The testimonies they hear from other Christians sound so touching and powerful like how much Christ changed their lives totally and renewed them. They even wonder has Christ even entered their lives when they prayed the sinner's prayer!

I came across someone really dear to me who said the same thing and all i asked her was this question,

"have you been obeying?"

She was speechless.

She does all the routine of what a "basic" Christian normally do. She goes to prayer meetings, Sunday morning worship and even her own cell group. But she said she sees no change in herself at all compared to who she was before she accepted Christ.

"But how do you hear God's will and command to follow and obey?" she gently protested.

"Well, it goes by in several ways, where has God placed you? Who do you come across? Do you feel promptings and urges in your heart? If you do, have you ever asked God, is that you?" I questioned in return.

She started thinking and she said "Well..there is this lady..."

And then she started to tell stories about people around her who were unaccepted, rejected and even hated because of their undesirable behaviour.

I decided to allow her to answer herself what God would've wanted her to do and what His will would've been by asking,

"What did God says about us treating our enemies?"

Her face immediately told me that she knew what i meant and it was to "love them". And that was her part to find out how God wants her to love them. Most Christians stop at noticing but never acted upon it with obedience and hence leading their spiritual life to death.

"Faith is taking God's at His word and acting upon His promises"

quoted from the book "transformed temperaments" by Tim Lahaye

Yes, you act upon in full obedience, it's not the question of whether you feel like you can't do it or you're afraid. You do it in faith that God will keep His promises as you do your part in His calling and command for you.

Do you think there will be a change now?

Though don't expect a disparity overnight because some people take a longer time to place their trust and faith in God while some can do it within a shorter time due to their spiritual maturity. But the following steps are extremely important and it's to feed yourself with spiritual food - God's word.

Have you ever complained that you hate going to the table 3 times a day to feed your growling stomach?

Now let me rephrase the question.

How many times have you complained that you need to do quiet time every morning and being forced to fast and meditate when it's organized by the church? (noticed that i already assumed that you've complained)



Just like when you refuse to eat, you'll die out of starvation.

Likewise when you refuse to feed your spiritual life with God's word and spend time building an intimate relationship with Him, your spiritual life dies as well. And you'll find yourself harder to obey His commands and calling and you'll eventually give up and burn out.

Why?

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

" apart from me you can do nothing."

I know that sometimes we have been studying for long hours, been to many tuitions, spent countless hours on homework and assignments and the next logical step on a free time is to be relaxing with entertainment and hang outs with friends.

While those things may be very attractive and fun to do, but can those things be compared to the joy of witnessing your friend to the saving knowledge of who Christ is and how much Christ will be changing your friend?

Can it be compared to the fact that your life is now full of eternal purpose, without meaningless frustration, anger and bitterness to one another and ultimately to yourself?

Can it be compared witnessing a miracle happening right in your own life?

The change in you can only start with one and only way, which is the choice of obeying His word. And of course, making Him your number one priority :)

- Gary Heng

Pictures are taken from :

http://william-suppressedtruth.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html
http://udleditions.cast.org/GLOSSARY,how_coyote_stole_fire,speechless.html#S
http://indradestianaputra.blogspot.com/2009/11/alone-18november2009-0125-am.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spursfan_ace/2328879637/
http://www.eyesofenhance.com/index/manifesto-38-why-complain-
http://faznaamat.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html