by Victoria Heinecke

Behold, God makes everything new!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 English Standard Version

Scripture tells us many accounts of mountaintop experiences, such as Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3), and the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36). These events become forever etched in the mind, and often lives take a dramatic turn going forward.

Lives can also take a turn when a person is in the deepest valleys. Some call it “hitting rock bottom.” The psalms offer numerous prayers of comfort, written when the author may have hit the bottom of an emotional or spiritual pit.

I hit bottom a year ago, when I was feeling the effects of aging, and the progress in my health journey had stalled. My trainer admonished me because I was not working as hard as I could, and on that day his words resonated.

It wasn’t apparent at first, but a transformation took place. He didn’t just chew me out, and move on. He encouraged me as I began taking charge of my health.

It’s been a slow process with highs, and lows, but I’m seeing, and feeling, the results of months of hard work.

Others are seeing the change as well.

That change, however, pales next to a transformation day 34 years ago when Jesus came into my life, became my Lord and Savior, and I began my faith journey with him.

Like physical fitness, growing in faith is not an easy process. There are highs, lows, times when the path is clear, and other times when we don’t know where we’re going. Sometimes there’s a stall, and God is there to encourage us and lift us up.

The transformation is always happening, and, thanks be to God, the process never ends.

Lord, continue to renew my mind and transform my soul. Amen.

Part 2 of 4:  https://prayingwitheyes.com/13157/spiritual-fitness-trained/ ‎

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado