Head-On
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:3-8
INSIGHT
With my wife working as a night nurse on the COVID floor of our local hospital, for me, social distancing began earlier than most. For what seemed like an eternity, my dining room table served as my makeshift office, which I shared with my two daughters, who were also distance learning.
This past week I made my first appearance back at the church office since the pandemic. A familiar scene would often play out as I caught up with my coworkers. You'd see them try to process the change in my appearance, which would inevitably lead to some form of, "Hey, Tony. You're looking slim. Have you lost a lot of weight?"
I'd chuckle and say indeed, I've dropped a few pounds during my time off, but who's counting. Some knew, and others did not, that I committed to an audacious running goal for 2020. I wanted to force myself out of my comfort zone and test my limits at the beginning of the year. During the whole pandemic that kept me indoors and isolated, running became a place of escape, a refuge to refocus my mind and heart. Pounding the pavement not only worked on my soul but influenced my waistline.
Because of my newfound love for running, I couldn't help but look different. The same principle holds for our encounter with Christ. Because we ran head-on into His kindness and mercy, we are different. The transformation taking place on the inside expresses itself on the outside. We shouldn't resemble the old version of ourselves, but rather let our new identity in Christ change everything about us.
In his letter to Titus and the church in Crete, Paul speaks about this drastic transformation in today's passage. He opens up by saying, "at one time we too were...". At one time, I was a couch potato, eating my weight in potato chips. That's who I once was - then I laced up a pair of shoes.
At one time, a life of indifference, hopelessness, apathy, selfishness, envy, and greed described us. That's who WE ONCE WERE - then our lives collided with Christ and His endless love and undeserving grace.
I can look in the mirror or put on a pair of jeans and notice a difference in my appearance. There's no denying it. The change in our character, attitudes, and actions because of Christ is more subtle and sometimes harder to detect. That's why Paul reminds these believers, as well as us, about WHO WE ARE.
We often forget that the old is gone and the new has come. Significant changes might not come right away, so we fool ourselves, feeling like transformation hasn't taken place, but it has. It gets seen in a kind gesture, listening before speaking, looking for ways to give rather than receive, considering someone else better than yourself.
Over time, these small steps of obedience and faith, with reliance on the Holy Spirit's work, is what a changed life looks like. Showing up and remaining in the race enables us to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" when we cross the finish line here on Earth.
REFLECTION
Where do you need to be reminded that God's kindness and love make you a new person?
PRAYER
God, Your love changed everything about me. I've been made new. May the work You are doing within me express itself in my words, actions, and relationships. You made a difference in me, and I want to make a difference in this world for You. I know this begins by living a life that reflects Your heart, so I will do so today. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
