Redone and Transformed

 A little tag I found (shown larger than actual size).

 

Many years ago, I randomly found this small round tag on the ground. The red and white plastic tag has just one word engraved into it: “redone”. The concept which immediately struck me was that when I decided to live for Christ, I was redone – fundamentally changed – on the inside, as the Bible promises: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As I continue following the Lord, I am constantly being redone – transformed – with the help of His Spirit. Over the years, that little tag has become a unique symbol of my life in Christ.

Whoever commits to being a Christ follower is “redone” at the moment of salvation. We are new creations in Him. However, we are also called to daily work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12) and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We are all works in progress, and though God sees us as perfected through Christ, we are not perfect, and fail every day. I know I do.

God lovingly created each of us, with our unique personalities, likes and dislikes, and tendencies. When the Spirit enters our life, He begins to change us, in ways both small and significant. From the way we assert our personality, to why and how we use what we’ve been given; materially and in gifts and talents. The same God who created each of us helps me to be the best “me” possible, as I let Him, while living in this fallen world. My good traits are enhanced and the less desirable habits are replaced with more fulfilling ones that benefit not only myself but can positively influence the community around me.

Many folks have experienced dramatic changes almost instantly, such as the desire for cigarettes, alcohol or drugs being taken away. Those kind of miracles at conversion are great, but with many other entrenched habits or shortcomings, it may take months, years, or even a lifetime to “get it right”. Every day is a spiritual battle to conquer our imperfections and sin nature. As I’ve written before, we fight that battle by walking daily with Jesus through prayer and reading His Word, and sharing our faith journey with other believers through fellowship – all in full submission to His leading. None of us is perfect, and there are ups and downs. At times we’ve all experienced dry moments, or made decisions we wish we could take back. Yet God is ever faithful, always ready to forgive us and set us back on the right path! (1 John 1:9)

I wrote this poem exactly 22 years ago (!), after a short dry spell in my life:

“Commitment”

This broken vessel I give to You –
My offering, knowing You’ll see me through.
Surrendering all to follow Your lead;
For though I’m imperfect, You plant a seed.
Shortcomings don’t limit what thru me You can do,
with my eyes set toward heaven, my heart toward You.
What little I have expands in the grace
You give me to serve You, wherever the place.
I’m not perfect, I’ll never meet
these high expectations I lay at Your feet.
Disappointments arise from unfinished plans;
as You take over, I free my own hands.
It’s been some time, but Lord, now I pray
with faith that You’ll guide me on from this day.

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©Ladeena Ashley

Have you been redone? Are you in the process of being redone? Is there anything you’re holding onto, thinking you can overcome it using your own wisdom and by your own strength? Jesus is just waiting for us to admit defeat – that we can’t do it alone – and once we do that, then He can do His work and we can claim the victory! Besides, the blessings He has waiting for us are so much better than the mediocre things we often pursue or settle for.

If you don’t know what it’s like to be redone, trust that God the Father loves you more than you love yourself, and has your best interests at heart! Believe in His Son Jesus and accept the gift of forgiveness and new life in Him! Through the Spirit, He will walk with you and help you to be the best redone and transformed “you” that you can be. Surrender your imperfections to the One who alone is perfect and has a perfect and loving will for your life.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2018 All Rights Reserved (Blog content and photos)

Strength In Weakness

Where do you turn when life doesn’t make sense? Our first instinct may be to rely on our own strength and willpower to push through hard times, though in desperation we may seek God eventually. In every day decisions, however, it’s too easy to let our own reasoning and logic guide us.

For me, I’ve found that the moment I think to myself, “I got this”, I’m one step away from heartache and regret. On my own, under my own power and operating according to my wisdom, I am weak and only headed for trouble; but leaning on Him I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Indeed, in every situation, the Lord is ready and more than able to provide strength and wisdom beyond what we can ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20). His thoughts and ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God’s simplest, most basic thought is far beyond man’s greatest epiphany.

It never ceases to amaze me that although God created all things, He still has time and profound interest in even the minutest details of our lives. In fact, He wants us to cast all of our anxiety on Him because He loves us so much (1 Peter 5:7). In the hands of a loving Father, our human failings and frailty are transformed into wisdom and strength that confound those who foolishly rely on their own power (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Therefore, I choose to think outside the box and never place God into one, because He is infinitely bigger than all of my problems. Every hour of life is 60 minutes in which He can guide, encourage, comfort and empower me as I look to Him. Honestly, things may not go exactly as I might like, and not everything is unicorns and rainbows. I keep in mind that we can plan our way, but the Lord directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). So, I trust that each step and the overall outcome will play out according to His perfect plan, which I know is ultimately for my good (Romans 8:28).

Here’s a poem I wrote with all those ideas in mind…

“Great Things To Come”

Greater blooms the heart in Christ:
the one who chooses to dream
the impossible, improbable
beyond our human means.
Greater grows the Spirit, when
the mind holds less control;
God’s common sense clashes
with the things we think we know.
Greater shines the soul in peril;
the healthy need no physician.
As Jesus, we, like candles, live
in the light of the Great Commission.
Greater still, the glory’s shone
when the hardest of heart repents.
What change is wrought in adversity!
What strength when we are spent!
Great God of creation, He, and yet
He loves and cares for all.
May our light shine brighter still
as we respond each day to His call.

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© Ladeena Ashley

He’s Got Your Back

The Lord is our constant and everlasting hope. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and His faithfulness will last forever, through all generations (Deuteronomy 7:9). As we trust in Him with all of our heart, looking to Him each day and leaning on His understanding instead of ours, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Then with transformed hearts and minds, He will help us transform our world, one soul at a time.

Here’s one of my favorite songs by Colton Dixon: Through All Of It (Note: link will open in a new window)

I’m so thankful that God has been with me through every step of my life’s journey!

© Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photos)