Change Me! (please)

Leo Tolstoy once said:

 "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

And it's quite true when it comes to changing others. Yet I'm quite sure that everyone reading this article would want to change something about themselves. We want to be skinnier, smarter, better looking - but that's just the physical appearance side of it. If that wasn't asking for the moon, we each also wish that we were more patient, less lazy, more courageous, considerate etc etc... AND when we do we want it? NOW.


Well, you can change without pain, without discipline. Try the 5 steps to a NEW YOU and get instant results or your money back!! Free shipping, and we'll even throw in some self-confidence for free if you sign up for our 'You're Awesome' magazine...YOU WISH.

Think about this little gem from C.S Lewis:

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad."

And then this:

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  - Jesus Christ of Nazareth (John 15:4-6)

Do you want real, lasting change? Then go for the inside-out change. No amount of personal growth can stick if it's from the outside-in, just as putting on Christina Aguilera's look doesn't give you her vocal prowess. 

"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing."

Did you ever realise that the fruits of the Spirit are FRUITS, not gifts? Fruits take time to develop and mature. A branch on a grapevine can only bear grapes if it stays attached to the vine, receiving nutrients from it.


Are you leaving God out of any part of your life? That might just be the part you need to let Him into if you want to see anything improve in that area. Give Him the right to work on you there, find out what He's saying about that area, then obey Him whether you like it or not.


So often, we try to change without God; for some reason, we think it is better without Him when in fact we NEED Him to help us change: "for without me you can do nothing". That's a slap in the face for some people; it takes humility to realise that you can't achieve it on your own, but that's exactly the first step to becoming more like Jesus.


The next step is to be more than just sorry about your bad habit/characteristic. Good intention alone is not enough to change the world. Convictions are because they are beliefs that propel you to action. But how do we get them?

"Good intention alone is not enough 
to change the world. Convictions are..."

Spend time with the Lord and invest in activities, thoughts and prayers that align yourself with God's Word. Catch God's passion and convictions, and let them change you from the inside out. It's time spent in His Word by His Spirit that transforms us.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:18

Then, position yourself for change. It is important to ask (ie pray), but it also important to position yourself to receive. It may mean repentance. It may mean giving up your right make your own choice about something in order for you to follow God's choice for you. Or it may just mean straight discipline. Whatever it is, it will probably entail some discomfort, and effort. But don't do it out of your own strength. Remember:"abide in me, and I in you...without me, you can do nothing."


God is in the business of heart renovation. He'll take you up on the challenge if you step up to the plate and work with Him towards being all He made you to be. He's waiting for you.