“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Some people are impressed by a person’s musical talent, athletic ability, fame, fortune or beauty. I am even more amazed when it demonstrates creativity.

When someone can take a blank page or canvas, a piece of yarn or thread and turn it into something completely unique, the transformation becomes not just a work of art, but something that is a beautiful reflection of its creator. To take what might seem small or insignificant and turn it into something altogether new, beautiful or useful is a gift that comes from God. It is the type of creativity that just shouts, “Watch this! You see something plain or simple or of little use? I see a “nothing” that can become something of beauty and value!”

Can’t you just see the visual picture here of what God does in us when He transforms us–from the inside out? True religion is not about what is seen on the outside, but what comes from within. When God is truly a part of our life, it changes who we are, what we think and what we do. Look at the caterpillar… a small, simple creature that becomes a butterfly. God can take what we once were and turn us into something altogether new, beautiful and useful for His glory!

Just look what you will find when you read the creation story in Genesis:

The beauty of the garden was quickly marred by sin. Sin entered this world at the moment of disobedience and the presence of sin in our lives becomes a veil that not only separates us from a Holy God, but also distorts our view of Him. Romans 12:1-2 reminds us that only in becoming a “living sacrifice”–surrendering our heart, our desires, our will to God’s will–can we even begin to understand what is the “good and pleasing and perfect will of God.”

“Do you really want to know what God’s will is?”

In the model prayer we are taught to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). It is a simple prayer, but a complex one. In an act of surrender to whatever God might want for us and from us, we might say the words, “Thy will be done” with good intentions–but in reality, how often do we pray in a more self-centered way, as in: “God, here’s what I want, what I’m going to do, or what I think… now please bless it!”

Do you see what I mean by complex? If we are thinking correctly, we know that God sees the past, present and future, so it makes sense to trust His plan and surrender to whatever he wants for us and from us; however, it’s not until we are willing to step back and say, “God, I know it’s okay to ask something of you, but what I really want is what YOU want for me.”–that’s when transformation begins to happen!

God demonstrated uniqueness in everything He created, including us. Our spiritual lives are no less unique. While He gives mankind the same information (His Word), the same salvation (Christ died for all), and the same redemption (one way to be saved), He transforms each of us individually.

In this photo I took while visiting the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, you can see a small mosaic just below the pottery. You might not be able to read the small print, but it reads:

“Eye hath not seen, no ear heard,
neither have entered the heart of man—
the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Be encouraged today! God has things already prepared for you–your life, this day, and into the future. If you will look for the beauty you will find it, even on the hard days. Maybe it will come in a child’s laughter, or a bird’s song, or a flower that’s beginning to bloom–or even in the mirror. What you see is God’s handiwork, created by Him for a purpose–to glorify Him in every day that He gives you. Salvation is just the beginning of that transformation, and Acts 4:12 boldly tells us, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Jesus himself proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. If you would like to know how to place your faith in Jesus, you can follow this link to find out more: FAITH