Midlife Metamorphosis, Part Three: There's a Map for That
Personal Transformation When You're Already Halfway Down the Road of Life
Today, I want to introduce a sort of road map for where this series is going.
The first two articles focused on the general concept of Personal Transformation, especially later in life.
We talked about this in terms of a “Calling” and properly aligning our 3Ps (Passion, Potential, Personality) to fulfill that calling.
Keep in mind that this series is being written from a Christian point of view. It starts with Spiritual transformation. Romans 12:2 exhorts us to “be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The concept of transformation can be applied to all aspects of our lives, but in the end, if we have not been spiritually transformed through Christ, nothing we do will last beyond the grave.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
That’s where it all starts.
Spiritual Transformation is initiated and continued by God throughout our lives. Not only are we transformed into new creations by the Holy Spirit, but he continues to work in us, renewing our minds constantly as we yield ourselves to His will.
That is God’s part.
Our part is to respond by preparing our heart, mind, and body to meet the calling(s) he lays before us.
Philippians 2:12-13
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation (which you have been given) with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
I believe that all transformation, whether spiritual or personal, is first and foremost a work of our Creator and starts with the salvation of our souls.
I believe with all my being that God is continuously working in us to accomplish his will. Whether you believe that or not, there is still benefit from this series.
We also have a part in this. Remember that Providence includes opportunity and preparation. Both must be present to move forward.
Sadly, many opportunities are left unrealized because we fail to prepare.
God provides the opportunities to “will and do” what pleases him. Our part is to prepare to understand and fulfill those opportunities. This is accomplished through continued transformation via a renewed mind (Ref. Romans 12:2).
Beginning next week, we’ll start looking at the Process of Personal Transformation and the Principles that can guide us as we work through the process.
Now, imagine realizing a dream that had long since been buried by the circumstances of life.
Imagine doing something you love so much that it doesn't even seem like work.
Imagine being able to dramatically increase your ability to serve God through sending, supporting, and supplying the needs of those He calls to go.
Imagine, for a moment, having the ability to travel to the far reaches of the world to assist in some mission project or humanitarian work, create opportunities for others, or just explore this big beautiful globe we live on.
Maybe it’s none of those things. It could be you just want to be able to start a small business or non-profit to serve your local community, or write a book that’s been on your heart for years, or simply want to retire without worry.
Principle
Vocabulary.com defines a principle as “a kind of rule, belief, or idea that guides you.”
For this series, I want to briefly introduce at least three guiding principles that, if understood and embraced, will greatly enhance personal transformation at any age.
It’s Possible
It’s Simple
It’s Quick
So far, we’ve briefly touched on the necessity of believing something is possible for it to become a reality. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll take a deeper dive into how these three principles work together to keep us focused and motivated.
Today, I want to close with some stories of those who believed the impossible was possible.
Throughout history, there have been countless men and women who achieved their greatest accomplishments long after what most consider the prime of life. Artists, inventors, engineers, teachers, and on we could go.
What was it that enabled them to achieve such extraordinary things at their age - things that others cannot do in a lifetime?
What moved them to accomplish more in the waning years of their lives than all the years before?
What was the one thing they all seemed to have in common that kept their dream alive when all else seemed to be crumbling around them?”
They believed it was possible.
Abraham’s Son
Take, for instance, the Biblical story of Abraham and Sarah found in Genesis 11-25. Sarah had been barren her whole life, yet God had promised Abraham in Genesis 22:17-18
In blessing, I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore, and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Their son Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90. They had waited all that time with Abraham even trying to “help God out” by having a prior son with his concubine, which brings up a good point here - while we have a part in the preparation, that doesn’t mean we “take the bull by the horns” to do it our way. That usually spells disaster.
So here’s the key: Abraham believed what God told him was possible.
The Apostle Paul commented on this extraordinary situation:
He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. - Romans 4:20-21
Joseph’s Dream
At 19 years old, Joseph had a dream.
He dreamed that his parents and siblings would someday bow down and acknowledge that he was their ruler, yet because of that very dream, his brothers sold him into slavery.
He spent the next 12 years either in bondage or prison before “miraculously” becoming the most powerful man in Egypt under Pharaoh, with immense power and wealth. He was barely 32 years old.
Eventually, his brothers came to Egypt to ask for food because of famine in the land. Guess what? They bowed to him and acknowledged his authority over them.
When he finally revealed himself to them, he told them not to be afraid and said that God brought about the whole situation to “preserve their posterity”. God was working, but Joseph had a part as well. He could have been bitter and sought revenge upon his brothers.
But, you see, Joseph had a dream. His dream was so strong and so real that he never forgot or lost faith. He knew that one day his dream would become a reality.
He believed it was possible.
Moses’ Choice
The main story of Moses’ early life is found in Exodus. Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy cover his governance over the people of Israel.
Moses was commissioned by God to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage at the age of 80.
He had spent the previous 40 years as a shepherd on the “backside of the desert” after fleeing Egypt.
He grew up as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, yet he was willing to give all that up because he knew in his heart that it wasn't his calling (even when he didn't yet know what his calling was).
For the next 40 years, God humbled him and prepared him to go back to Egypt, face Pharaoh down, and lead Israel out of bondage.
Hebrews 11:24-27 tells of the choice Moses made way before any of this happened that altered not only his life but also the lives of the Hebrew people:
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
You see, Moses had a choice. He could have stayed in the royal family and enjoyed all the many benefits. But, he chose to leave it all, even when he did not fully understand.
Moses obeyed God because he believed it was possible.
There are many more examples we can see in the Bible, but there are also many more examples throughout history.
A couple of modern examples:
The Johnny-Come-Lately Artist
This farmer’s wife had a desire and gift for painting, yet when she married and began raising a family, painting went on the back burner. It wasn't until she turned seventy-six years old, after her husband died and had developed arthritis, that she decided to take up painting again.
As Providence would have it, she was “discovered” and Anna Mary Robertson Moses (AKA Grandma Moses) became a world-renowned artist with works selling for many times what she earned in a lifetime up to that point.
The Reluctant Entrepreneur
At age 65, this average salesman began trying to peddle his “secret” recipe to existing establishments, with little success. Eventually, he started his own restaurant which almost failed. But, his dream did not fail.
Finally, after many near failures, the undaunted Colonel Harland D. Sanders launched a successful franchise, based on his secret fried chicken recipe, that transformed his life and the lives of countless others. A franchise that today is known by everyone in America as KFC.
Each of these individuals found their true calling later in life. What was the common denominator found in each case?
They each believed it was possible.
Interestingly, for much of their lives, nothing seemed to happen. But, that didn’t mean nothing was happening. Their dreams didn’t die, they had just become dormant, being cultivated below the surface and awakened only when they were ready to act.
You may think, “I don't have any marketable skills” or “I'm too old to change now” or “I'm too scared” or maybe “Life cannot be that simple.”
When we read these accounts and others like them, we can receive fresh energy and vision to make drastic course corrections in life, no matter how old we are.
Remember the words of Jesus in Mark 9:23 -
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
So, buckle up as we head into the “meat and potatoes” of Personal Transformation …
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Thanks Cork, great writing
look forward to the next episodes
Cork, thank you for more deep simmerings with the Biblical thread woven through. All the Biblical examples are needed, as each one (Abrahah, Joseph, Moses, etc.) were flawed humans who grabbed enough faith to keep going through the doubts and actually believe God would bring His promises to them, to fruition. The waiting, the enduring, is the very hard part...and why we cannot walk this road alone. We as followers of God and His Son need not only salvation but the partnership of brothers and sisters in Christ, even when we are still all works in progress. I am still quite raw and still struggle terribly with WHY God keeps me here when I feel an utter failure...and yet, Papa God, as I pour out my heart to Him every night, listens quietly, takes my hand, smiles into my tearful face, gives me a hug and then goes over His plan for the next day or so. He NEVER scolds or castigates but He encourages, over and over and over and over again. Praise be to God, He is REAL and not some "idea" or concept, but the real deal on the difficult road of human life and into Eternity with Him. Bless you, Cork! Wendy