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A transformation of the heart is what we are all called to experience.
Acting like a Christian is something anyone can do for a period of time or for an instant in a certain moment.
I know that someone can sit in a church pew week after week – but, that doesn’t make that person a Christian.
Behavior modification or acting a certain way is not what we as Christian are called to. We are called to a deep transformation of our hearts.
We are created to Love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. This is how Christians are supposed to live.
So, we need to ask ourselves, am I following this way of living in my everyday life?
Do I love God above everything else?
The person who gets on my nerves, do I treat them well? Do I love and reach out to my neighbor in need? Am I respecting myself as a beloved child of God?
If the answer to these is ‘no’, ‘a little’, or ‘not really’ then our heart needs to be transformed.
My children can act ‘good’ when they want something or when they want to impress someone. But I want them to ‘want’ to live well because their hearts tell them to.
Gathering to pray a Rosary out loud in church before Mass but treating your brothers and sisters in Christ in an unkind or rude manner is not the mark of a Christian.
A pious behavior can be just something you have decided at that moment to do. And if we could have a peek at the way we behave the rest of the week would leave anyone wondering if you ever really heard of, came to really know, or believe in Jesus at all.
It is in the way we talk, communicate, treat others and glorify God in our mundane daily life that we are ‘found out’ by those around us.
Am I A Christian – Really?
To be a Christian means that you truly have the heart, love, and motivation of Christ…
That you are the same person to those who are closest to you as you are to those you want to impress or who meet elsewhere.
I remember trying to get all of our children for Mass on Sunday morning and yelling, repeating instructions, and getting very frustrated just trying to get everyone out the door on time.
Some children were too tired, some were too whiny, and the teenagers loudly expressed how much they just didn’t want to go.
After all of this, I would drive into the parking lot of the Church, not at all feeling very Christ-like. Knowing that God knew how I had behaved before we got there. He saw my heart in spite of my ‘now perfect’ behavior as I walked into church and carefully chose our pew…
I didn’t want to be like that. Desiring to be the same person in church Sunday morning as I was at home while getting ready and during the rest of the week.
To have a heart like Jesus…
It is in that transformation of our heart where being a Christian becomes part of who we are – not just how we act when we decide to be a “Christian”…
I know, for me, the Holy Word of God is where my transformation truly began and became part of my daily life. Daily because it is an ongoing process. Even an uncomfortable process at times…
God lovingly works deep within our hearts to change us from the inside out. We can always act holy on the outside for a little while, but that won’t last long.
One small inconvenience or conflict will quickly bring to the surface the true condition of your heart.
It is something you can’t hide for long…”out of our heart our mouth speaks“
Heart transformation is a must for lasting peace.
After so much time, I have seen Jesus transform the hearts of my family and me. No longer do we fight, yell, or get frustrated on Sunday mornings.
Everyone in the family just knows we go to Mass each Sunday. There is no fight, refusal, or drama.
Never Give Up The Transformation of Your Heart
I don’t want to imagine how our life would be now if I had just resigned myself to the way it was, without hoping and praying for the way it now is. Without having faith that God could and would transform our hearts.
There were times I didn’t want to even engage in that ‘Sunday morning struggle’ – but, being consistent in prayer and practice – God has changed and softened our hearts and family.
That struggle we once had, is no longer there. Once a weekly occurrence, it is a memory of the past.
I can see this simple process working in many other areas of my life. This ongoing process of wanting to follow Jesus and to become more of who he calls me to be.
Do I fail? Yes, everyday! Just ask my husband or my children – I’m sure they would quickly offer several examples 😉
But praise God! I am being slowly transformed!
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Praying, working, growing, and hoping are never done in vain when we accept the Grace of God to help the process along.
Renewing our minds daily by reading and studying Scripture will help us live out the will of God in our daily life. We can become more of the true Christian we desire to be. We can begin to live as a true follower of Christ even in the midst of chaos & disappointment. Scripture is where God directs this transformation.
As with any true transformation, if you want it, you have to pray for, desire it, and work with God’s grace to grow into it.
I do want to be honest with you – it isn’t usually the instant process we would all like to see happen…Transformation is not like that. Just think of the total transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly – there is a long, hidden, and sometimes painful process.
But we are assured that transformation is indeed possible.
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A Catholic mom of 10 & a Deacon’s wife.
A Christian who lives an intermittent fasting lifestyle, my days faithfully begin with prayer & black coffee.
I want to encourage women to realize their life’s purpose, share their faith, embrace God’s Word, grow in confidence, and commit daily to reclaiming overall health while living a life dedicated to their vocation.
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