Monday, February 17, 2014

Hitting System Restore

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.----- Romans 8:29 - 30
Microsoft introduced an innovative feature when it launched the operating system Windows ME: "system restore." Suppose you suffered a system crash on your computer on Thursday. Then suppose you hadn't backed up the last two weeks of financial information you entered Wednesday, or the history report your child started writing Monday. What would you do? Try to recreate your hours of work? Or just give up? No need for either option. Windows ME allowed the operator to "system restore." The option would turn back the clock to a specified reset date. Voila! Problem solved. All the things that had once seemed lost would be found. The system would return to its original configuration.
I accepted Christ's forgiveness for my sins about 13 years ago. I trust that all I had done to that point was forgiven and forgotten. I thought I was done with sin. How frustrating to realize that it remains in my life even today. Why can't I have a "system restore" so that my tendency toward sin could just be erased? How wonderful it would be to never again have a self-centered desire, to experience petty glee over someone else's failure, or to delight to hear gossip. Why is it that I can write about the powerful work of the cross one minute...and belittle my husband the next? I know I've been forgiven. I know the price Christ paid for that forgiveness. So why then do I still sin? It can be the most discouraging, the most defeating fact of this new life. Despite all the progress I've made, I can still revert to old hurts and habits. Why is that?
I guess because this transformation into the image of God's Son is a process. It doesn't occur with a wave of a magic wand. It materializes in subtle, unseen ways. It comes about through failure. It becomes apparent with confession, repentance, and forgiveness.
I know transformation is happening in me because I've experienced compassion, grace, forgiveness coming from me. Reactions I am incapable of exhibiting on my own, in my natural self, I now express. I'd like a little more compassion and forgiveness in my life, but again this is a process. God is growing that in me (1 Cor 3:6). I can trust that God is at work, that He's not done with me yet, because of what I know has already occurred. And the signs are not just the fruits of the Spirit. I know God is at work because I have been justified. I've been made right because of my faith in Christ Jesus and the power of the Cross. I know I've been justified because I believe that for much of my adult life, Jesus was calling me to come to Him. He was inviting me into the peace and safety of His forgiveness. I trust that transformation began the instant I obeyed His call and fell into His embrace. I trust that what God began in me will be completed because the Lord God is faithful to all His promises.
Oh, Father God, I do long for perfection...me, remade into the perfect, enduring image of Christ. I long for the end of frustration with people, anger over the things they say and do, disappointment in their lukewarm faith or lack of compassion for the poor. I long for the end of my human failings. I have a long way to go, and as much as I say I ready to go home, Father I know I am not ready to give an account for how I lived with what you've given me.
Thank you, Father, for those who planted and those who watered to bring me to knowledge of you. Thank you, gracious Father for the growth I've experienced. I ask for greater patience, compassion, greater love to be poured out from me. I ask that those wonderful characteristics of yours shine from me, so that I am useful as a planter and waterer for whatever time remains. Thank you, loving Father. Amen

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