Power of Transformation

"What hope is there for me? How can I change?" Anonymous Addict

I meet with fellow addicts on a weekly basis. Sometimes we find ourselves the victims of our own broken lives. The habits, the hurts, and the wreckage of our lives not only weigh on us; but cause destruction in our hearts and relationships with others. While reading and praying I've had this nagging question, "how does God change and transform broken people?" I mean, what does it look like? How does it happen? What are the right circumstances for a change/transformation?

I'm not really sure what the answers are, but reading the ancient scriptures, it says that God's first step is moving into the lives of broken people. He's not waiting for people to show up ready... He comes to us! We see this most clearly through the sending of Jesus. He says,

He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives and to comfort all who mourn Rename them "Oaks of righteousness" planted by God to display his glory. They'll rebuild the old ruins; raise a new city out of the wreckage. They'll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new.
Isaiah 61

It is His power that breaks the long-fought addiction, heals the sick, and sets people free from whatever has a hold on their lives.

When you're broken and in need of change, you can feel weak. There is no strength in you. You feel ashamed and want to hide. Isolation is good, because you don't have to give an excuse to anyone. But when God meets a broken person He heals them and transforms them; giving them a new identity. He calls them oaks of righteousness! The oak tree is a sturdy, hardwood tree which lives to a great age. Here in Woodstock, we have some of the biggest trees I've ever seen. They create great shade; providing comfort during these hot weekends. When God transforms us we get a chance to start over. The wreckage of our lives becomes new! No longer do we hide in shame, but we can stand tall, providing comfort and stability for those still wrestling with the brokenness of their lives. As we experience His transformation, God calls us to move into the lives of others, believing that His power can transform them. We are to reach out and rebuild; working on behalf of a God who desires that our lives would be made new.

(If you look close, you can see my daughter Eleanor under this massive tree)

Because of sin, we live in a very broken society and among many broken people. Their lives are on the front page of the newspaper and headline the evening news. Their only hope to seeing change is the transforming power of God and we have an opportunity to participate in this process as we move towards starting this new church. We know that it is God's job to transform people. Only God can work change and renewal in the hearts of others, but we're called to partner with Him by loving and serving those around us. He sends us to bring the transformation to our neighborhoods - to be huge oak trees displaying His transformative power.