A Thought

“What we call Man’s power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument … For the power of Man to make himself what he pleases means, as we have seen, the power of some men to make other men what they please.”  C.S. Lewis

Isn’t it funny that when Christians think of “transforming power”, as in the Holy Spirit, we typically mean we want the Holy Spirit to transform others into something more pleasing and less offensive, according to our own cultural tastes and social sensibilities?  We like the idea of being “saved”, but transformation?  Changing into something other than what we think we already are?  Not so much.  We are much more inclined toward that old hymn’s implied promise, “Just as I am”.  It’s a nice idea and a good start, but staying “just as I am” defies the Wesleyan concept of “sanctification”; that is, “going on to perfection” as the Letter to the Hebrews encourages us toward – AND – it denies our Lord’s call to “take up your cross and follow Me” because we would much prefer our Lord to follow us.  “Just as I am”.

If Messiah Jesus is “the Way”, then let it be His “Way”.  If Messiah Jesus is “the Truth”, then let the Truth prevail in our own lives.  For “the Life” we pray for and wait for during the season of Advent, that of Eternal Life, is upon us – IF – we are on “the Way”.

Blessings,

Michael