Transformation Television
By Carolyn Hulliberger
“We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged.”
Romans 5:3-4 (The Message)
I love “Transformation Television.” Not Reality TV, exactly, but those shows where four food ingredients that don’t typically go together are altered into a fabulous gourmet dish...or an out-of-control pet is shown behavior modification to produce a more stress-free home…or a dilapidated home is purchased at a deep discount and renovated into a showplace.
What these programs have in common is a raw ingredient (food/pet/house) coming together with an expert, a visionary caretaker (chef/animal trainer/contractor) who produces an awesome result. The caretaker must maximize the potential in the ingredient to generate the desired outcome.
The downside of these shows is that what takes an hour is shown in five minutes, and what takes weeks, or even months, is shown in an hour. Nevertheless, at the end of the episode, I often come away more…dare I say…hopeful. Because, in that hour, the raw ingredient comes away at the end CHANGED for the BETTER!
The life of the Christ-follower is the raw ingredient in God’s transformation...He is the Master Carpenter, and capable of fabulous renovations that can turn a life into His showplace. The problem is that sometimes I want His work in me to be like that of the television show, where I could fast-forward through the ugly and unpleasant parts to see what a stunning product my life will become at the end of a trial. God’s work isn’t like that. You see, God is concerned with changing me (and you) to be a reflection of Christ. Sometimes that means that we need paint scraped and a new coat put on. Other areas might require a complete demolition job down to the studs of our hearts.
Remember that we are to “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4, The Message).
A true transformation cannot be rushed, but the result is beautiful.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Using the lens of a television show, look back on a trial in your own life. How did God move you to become more of a reflection of Christ?
2. Are there any areas of your own life where you are keeping the Master Carpenter from getting to work on His renovations?
FURTHER READING:
James 1:12
In addition to loving her husband and two children, Carolyn serves at Oakwood Church leading a fabulous, beautiful, interesting group of junior high girls, and is treasurer for We Women’s Ministries.
