..but be conformed to the image of Christ
what is the image of Christ? well, holiness, purity, things like that which are, to me anyway, pretty far out of reach. ok, sure, so compared to some other people on the face of this earth, i'd rank pretty high in the purity department. and yes, i do all the 'holy' things. but i'm not pure. and i'm not holy. i think things that aren't nice at all - like, my mind might wander to how someone who has really hurt me is forced to move away where they can't hurt me any more by their very existence. Or, I might think back on teachers that embarassed me, and take far too much pleasure in the fact that now, some decades later, they are probably not still there. These are not the thoughts of the holy or the pure. I've even had the occasional improper thought about Dr. House, or (ok, this is really embarassing), Adrian Monk. A comment I made to someone about the cute geeky guy in NCIS is the sort of thing that most people would say is 'harmless', or even 'totally healthy'. But are those thoughts and comments "in the image of Christ"?
No.
What other things are in the image of Christ. Well, now that I think about it, there are some characteristics that I've found myself more able to develop with consistency (and His help). Patience. I'm told I excel at patience. Patience was not my choice, though. It was forced on me. Be patient, or lose what you most want. Relationships seem to be especially in need of 'patience'. Relationships with family, friends, co-workers. Ok, so I've been thru the fires of learning patience. It's helped me now, when things like long waits in lines or no dinner when I think I should have it. Being patient pays off if the think you're being patient about/for is in Gods will for you. He always finishes what He starts.
Kindness. I can't say I think of myself as "kind". But this week, I've been told a couple of times that I'm very kind. I don't know what that assessment is based on, I've really just been taking time to live and to really 'be present'.
Another characteristic that is conformed to Christ is "seeking not its own". that means putting the needs of others before your own. Now, some people say thats unhealthy ....especially the part about denying yourself. I've spent years thinking about this, and i know its really not popular, but I would agree. I'm not big in favor of promoting 'self', and I'd go so far as to say in a good relationsihp, it is not only good, but desireable to put the wants and needs of your partner above those of yourself. I mean, what is really SOOOOO important that a person has to have their own way? Of course, that only works if the people are emotionally healthy. If they aren't, then one person may want things, the other person 'gives in' and this happens over and over and over - thats not what 'seeking not your own' is about. It's about not insisting on your own way. Not about insisting someone else puts their needs aside for you. Only _you_ can seek not your own way.
So, where does that leave me in my thinking about being conformed....well, when I was saved, or as some call it, Born Again (hmm. actually that is what the Bible calls it), I was conformed in my spirit, to the image of Christ. But I livein a world that is pretty corrupted and no matter how I try, I am not likely to ever be fully conformed in _this_earthly body, to the image of perfection. That doesn't mean I should't continue to try. But I think trying is more a matter of doing the things I know are the basics of following after the Lord, and those other things will come.
My very simply morning prayer: Good morning God, This is your day. I am your child. Show me your way.
I think, said with sincerety, even a memorized prayer is not 'praying by vain repetition as do the heathen'. I think a memorized prayer can be a wonderful way to meditate on the Lord. And, when you think about something enough, it becomes something that is just 'with you". That can be bad, if, for example, you become consumed with someone who hurt you to the point you have to know what they are doing to make sure they don't hurt you again. Or it can be good, as in knowing someone in your family loves you and is there for you, so you can go thru your lifetime knowing you are loved, and that you can love back!
I guess it all comes down to the choice. So, as I asked several years ago, which will it be? The Lady or the Tiger?
Which will you choose?
in reality there is no lady
just the sum of wrong desire.
but the tiger sleeps in waiting
come, awake forever fire.
we are the tigers, mighty mighty tigers
everywhere we go, people want to know, who we are, so we tell them
we are the tigers..
given I was given a tiger in 1995, I think its only right that I ditch the lady that never really existed, and go for the tiger. I could use a fire on this cold night.
Transformed? Bit by bit. more today than yesterday, a product of choices, and G-d's grace.
"Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed (how?) by the renewing of your mind, so that ye may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)
