GodReflection: Power Words

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

In the fairy tale the princess kisses the frog and poof instant Prince Charming.

Never once did I witness a transformation as the frogs resurged from the Pecos River mud after a good New Mexico rain. They just remained frogs. Never once did I see a beautiful little girl kiss a frog, so I still doubt.

I wish for instantaneous transformation into the likeness of Jesus. How neat it would be to immerge from baptismal waters and leave complaints, distrust, faithlessness, all dishonesty, and every evil thought at the bottom of the pool.

I like instant.

To rise from the water with complete love, fadeless joy, and eyes that never wavered from Jesus would be nice. To treat everyone as God treats me and to love everyone as Jesus loves me would be a wonderful instantaneous gift.

That does not describe my walk.

Yes, I want to become more like Jesus while I find myself powerless to do so. My plight is to wait patiently to become.

Many years ago, I knew Robert Lee Roberts. His friends all called him R.L. He was a theologian, elder, librarian, history tour leader, and one who mirrored Jesus. He was an avid reader, possessed an encyclopedic mind, and lived with a pocketknife in his hand.

R.L. could turn a branch into a work of art. I suspect his carving skills began as a boy among the Tennessee trees of Chattanooga.

At the memorial service to honor his life and to comfort those of us who knew him I heard a graphic illustration. God was the Great Artisan. His work for 73 years was R.L.

God started to carve.

R. L. was his branch. By the time of his death, a pile of woodchips covered the ground. He carved away all that wasn’t Jesus.

Here is what I think.

I can’t become like Jesus under my own steam.

I can do nothing to fix me. Looks like I am a lifetime work. All I can do is summit.

Each day the Master Carver cuts away piece after piece. I am a process. I am not yet complete. I am becoming. I would like to think with each passing day that my branch resembles Jesus a tad more.

I am not the Master Carver. I am the carved. I am becoming.

I find power in the word becoming.

I live in light of becoming. I don’t worry that I am not doing enough in the transformation process. My concern is more one of total submission. Am I lying still in the Master Carver’s hand as he does the work?

I am at peace. I am a work in process. I am becoming.

Remember not to waste your time kissing frogs.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Becoming

Gary@GodReflection.org