The idea of transformation is tough for most of us. We feel comfortable in our own skin. Change isn’t easy. In fact, many of us are satisfied to live the same every day, without ever taking chances, risks or any alteration in behavior , because they want no complications along the way.

We’re exposed to advertising that urges us to dress to kill, reshape our bodies, shop until we drop, climb the ladder of success, do the unthinkable. The world lures us into believing that we deserve the best. All we need to do is step on someone else’s toes on your way. Competition has sadly become the norm.

Then we notice something else about our world. It’s filled with injustice, unfair treatment and all sorts of inhumane behavior. Our streets become battlefields. Our neighborhoods become territories for drug lords, looters, violence. Our homes are breeding grounds turning out children without parents. Morality seems to hit an all time low, but next week it will sink even lower. We try to find the answers to all of the insanity and it leads us to believe there is no answer.

There is an answer. We won’t find it in the news stories that break each day. It’s not available online to be delivered to your door for a price. It won’t show up in universities, churches or places of great knowlege. Our transformation occurred when we were redeemed by Jesus and His precious blood. He took away the ugly part of us – making us acceptable to His Holy Father. Thus our souls were washed clean. We know we will inherit the keys to paradise and that death will have no dominion over us ever again.

Therefore, all that we do in this world will be affected by that transformation. We can make life decisions based on God’s plan for us. We can trust in His perfect direction. That doesn’t mean there won’t be problems. In fact, we may expect more than our share of them. Yet we no longer dispair in those difficulties. We continue being works in progress. Part of that restoration requires us to trust in God’s will. He promises to give us a way out. We can push forward, even in a world filled with ugliness. We can stand united in Christ who has given us the victory.