What is transformational in your life?

In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis discusses the transformation of man into what he calls, The New Man.

Lewis suggests that if we had viewed the dinosaurs when they inhabited the Earth, we might have thought that transformation or evolution would consist of those creatures developing bigger brains or becoming larger. In reality, we know the dinosaurs became extinct, and humans began to transform.

Man evolved from being a creature of God to becoming a Son of God through communion with the Creator. 

This transformation to being Sons of God did not come from "Natural Selection." It was not a natural process, but one that came into Nature from outside.  

Lewis cites five unique steps for the transformation of the New Man.

1. It was not carried out by sexual reproduction. Sex stopped being the primary way humans evolved.

2. At the beginning of life, creatures had no choice about transforming. Evolution was something that happened to them, not something they had any control over. But the new steps from being creatures to being Sons became a voluntary response by man. We have a choice to be part of the new humanity or dismiss it and stay where we are.

3. When Jesus rose from the dead on that first Easter morning, he became the model for the New Man. He became a human of his own accord and desire. Jesus is the origin, center, and life of the New Man. Everyone who is transformed into a new man does so because of their connection and relationship with Christ.     

4. Compared to the evolution of man, the diffusion of Christianity has been like the blink of an eye. We are still part of the development of the New Man. We are just cutting our teeth as believers in Christ, while the rest of the world thinks we are a deteriorating movement. Many people have replaced faith in God with a greater understanding of the physical sciences. 

5. The old transformational steps had man evolving, but still dying. With the resurrection of Jesus, man has been taken from Nature and offered eternal life, a chance to be a 'god.' It is the opportunity to experience a rebirth into eternity with the Creator of the universe.

This New Man, according to Lewis, is an individual who is stronger, quieter, humbler, happier, and more joyful. They are this way because they choose to put their faith in One who offers them a transformation into something bigger, better, more beautiful. Something eternal.

The question is, will you choose (because you have free will - you must decide) to take the necessary steps to transform into the New Man through a belief in Jesus, or will you remain in a restricted life with limiting beliefs and a decided end?   

The choice is yours.

Please leave a comment sharing your thoughts on how you can be transformed by something bigger than yourself. Your opinions and perspectives are valuable, and I enjoy hearing from you. 

​How does power impact you?

We hear and read a lot today about power, its abuses, and its benefits.

But what is power? Power is defined as the ability to have or exude control over someone or something.

Power can be abused by perverting the trust that is assigned to any person or group in a position of authority. This misuse of responsibility violates established laws and norms, ethical standards, and conventional policies. This perversion of power undermines the integrity of the position.

Power can also be a benefit to individuals or a society at large. Power can direct beneficial change and drive innovation. It can be used as a tool for social justice by enhancing social status and providing access to greater opportunities and better allocating resources. It can also shape policies and mitigate conflict.   

Power in and of itself is not necessarily bad. We should ask ourselves: who has power, who is benefiting from that power, and who is a victim of the power? Unfortunately, today, power is seen as almost always evil and harmful.

Interestingly, the Bible does not demonize power. It doesn't divide the world into those with power and those who are oppressed by that power. After all, God is described as being all-powerful.

In St. Paul's first letter to Timothy, he asks for prayers for all those in power so that the authority can help society lead a quiet and tranquil life.  We need people in power who can provide for and protect the common good and the dignity of everyone.

St. Paul goes on to explain that one of the principal roles of people with power (government) is to ensure that those over whom they exude power are allowed to come to the knowledge of the truth through salvation.

Conversely, the prophet Amos rails against the abuse of power, especially when it is applied to the abuse of the poor. He despises authority that mismanages the economy to keep the needy and poor oppressed.  Power should be used to uplift the poor, not keep them subjugated.

Unfortunately, there are people in power today who are using people experiencing poverty to elevate themselves. We are called by our faith, but more importantly by our Creator, to use our power to uplift the less fortunate. It's not about the individual; it's about us collectively. 

Please understand, I'm not advocating for socialism. I'm advocating for a capitalistic free-market economy. However, a free-market economy should strive to improve the lives of everyone by providing opportunities for engagement and employment.  

How are we using our power to lift others economically, morally, spiritually? Once our needs are met, how do we utilize our power and resources to address the needs of the downtrodden? 

Please leave me a comment about how you are using your power to lift others. Your opinions and perspectives are valuable, and I'd appreciate hearing from you.