40 Days of Transformation

Two Sundays ago I was in church and listening to the middle school pastor, Justin Grunewald, speak on shocking statements made by Jesus. He started the message talking about mountain climber Aron Ralston’s experience as shown in the movie 127 Hours. To make a long story short, to survive a fall which left Aron’s arm stuck under a huge rock he had to break the bones in his arm and cut off his own arm to climb out of the canyon to save his life. Wow! Take a second to think about breaking your own arm...and then cutting it off! I can not begin to imagine the desperation, fear, suffering, and pain. In talking about this story Justin mentioned two key things that every adventurer knows and Aron did not do on this one trip...1) Tell others what you are doing and 2) Never go alone. I was thrilled! This sermon is going to be something I so badly need to hear! I am quite the private person when it comes to my faith and spiritual growth. This is an area of my life that I am trying to hard to work in and I thank my small group for helping me push past my comfort level and share intimate details of my inner thoughts and my heart. Anyways, I thought this sermon would be about accountability and growing alongside others. It wasn’t about that at all, although that week’s message was still great. Justin, if you for some reason ever read this blog I think the two points you made would make a great sermon, just sayin’!

These two key points have ruminated in my soul and I have not been able to shake them from my thoughts. I love being outdoors from running in my neighborhood to hiking in the mountains to kayaking rapids (mild ones). And Justin is right, always tell someone where you are going and never go alone. I never break those rules. Why is it that in my spiritual life I not only disobey those rules but I run from them? This has been weighing heavily on my mind for the past two weeks.

It is undeniable that God has been working in me. I wish I could put into words the extreme thirst I have had lately to know Him more, to get closer to Him, to hear from Him, to please Him, and to simply be still with Him. I have sat and asked God what he wants me to do and have not heard Him (although I am sure He was talking to me all along) until last night. I was reading through a friend’s blog, Laurie, last night- she is blogging her journey of not dating anyone for one year as a challenge posed by our pastor, Andy Stanley (check her blog out: http://dreamsunspoken4.tumblr.com/). As I read her words I found them powerful. How incredible to put your thoughts on paper each day, even on days when you don’t feel like sharing with anyone. Also, what a testament to being held accountable! It was amazing to read her words and she how God is transforming her life!

As I went to sleep last night, I felt as though God dropped a challenge to me into my head. I read The Purpose Driven Life back in 2003 when I was a junior in college (my friend Abbey gave it to me for my 21st birthday). I have changed and grown so much since then that it is comical to see my notes and answers to questions printed 6 years ago on the pages of my book. Today, I started it all over again. And as much as it makes my skin crawl to be out of my comfort zone, I am being held accountable because I am documenting my journey over the next 40 days for anyone to read...this is not going to be easy as I am about to be completely vulnerable (and it has been years since I have journaled)! But in the end, isn’t that what allows us to grow? Imagine if we never did anything out of comfort zone!

I read through the introduction today. Rick Warren states that the Bible is clear in considering 40 days a spiritually significant time period as evidenced by Noah, Moses, the spies in the Promised Land, David and Goliath, Elijah, the transformation of the people in Ninevah, Jesus in the wilderness, and in the 40 days the disciples were given to spend with Jesus after his resurrection. In the same way, 40 days dedicated to growing in God’s Word can transform my life. In Romans 12:2 it says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” This verse was also pointed out to me last night in The Search for Significance, a book we are reading in small group, regarding Satan’s deception that we must perform and succeed to gain acceptance but rather we mush find truth in God’s Word and renew our minds as evidenced by Romans 12:2. Thanks God, I love it when you point things out to me several times so I know it is something important...sometimes I am not the best at listening the first time!

“Real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit. Maturity is produced through relationships and community.” With that said, I would love comments and discussion as I go through this journey and I would challenge anyone reading this to join me. According to Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up...Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

God predestined us for glorious living (Ephesians 1:11). I want to hear all He is calling me to do!!