Transformed
Photo by: Calvin Mano
It’s nothing short of miraculous every time God meets someone and ignites the process of transformation. One of my favorite tv shows is The Chosen. In one of the episodes Jesus encounters a demon-plagued Mary Magdalene and heals her, producing a change so radical that a Jewish religious leader seeks out Mary to inquire as to how and by whom she was healed. Mary responds that she is unsure of both. And then she says:
“Here’s what I can tell you: I was one way. And now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him.”
Of course, we know, and Mary will come to know, that the “Him” is Jesus Christ. Immanuel. God with us.
There’s a similar story in the Old Testament. One of my favorites! About a woman named Rahab, who was rescued by some Israelites.
When we meet Rahab in chapter two of the book of Joshua she seems to be running in the other direction from God. We find her living amongst the Canaanites in the walled city of Jericho. The Bible tells us that she is a prostitute. Scholarship explains that most likely she served as a temple prostitute as part of pagan worship rituals. Not exactly a woman who we would expect to be welcomed into the Israelite family, right?
But God intervened in her story. As I imagine God has intervened in yours. As I know God has intervened in mine.
Of course, living as she did in Old Testament times, Rahab didn’t meet Jesus. But the imprint of Him is everywhere in her story. In the scarlet cord that the spies instruct her to tie to her window, so that Rahab and her family would be spared from the destruction of Jericho. The red color reminiscent of the blood of the Passover and the blood of Jesus Christ. In the redemption Rahab experiences when she is welcomed into the Israelite family (Joshua 6). And in the miraculous, extravagant, knock-your-socks-off blessing of being included in the very genealogy of Jesus (see Matthew chapter 1). Turns out, Rahab is one of Jesus’ ancestors.
Yes, Rahab was one way. Then she was completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him.
You see God came searching for Rahab. God knew Rahab was there in Jericho, shut up behind walls. Waiting. Hoping for deliverance. It’s why Rahab doesn’t hesitate to exclaim to the spies,
“the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.”
Joshua 2:11b
Rahab was waiting for God. And God came for her. In the form of two Israelite spies. And everything changed.
The truth is: God comes searching for each one of us. Sometimes through other people. Or the pages of the Bible. Perhaps the echoes of a sermon. Or via an experience that brings us to our knees. You see, there are no walls too high. No pit too deep. No sin too great. No pain too much for God to redeem. God always has been in the business of transformation. We see it over and over again in the pages of Scripture. We see it in our own stories.
So if you find yourself struggling today. With pain, loss, grief, illness, or simply the mundane tasks of life. Remember the story of Rahab. Know that God is with you. And God has the power to save, transform, redeem and heal. Sometimes all the pieces of that process take time. Perhaps we won’t see the knock-your-socks-off blessings until we get to heaven and see things from God’s perspective. But I promise you that God is at work.
And if you haven’t found faith yet. If you struggle with what and whom to believe. God has come for you too. God is waiting with open arms. God absolutely, completely, unconditionally loves you. The very desire of God’s heart is that you might love God in return.
In my own life, I ran from God a lot in my teens and early twenties. I struggled with big issues, like why God would allow people to suffer. And why God would allow evil to persist. I struggled with personal things, like could I be a Christian and still have fun. (I sort of thought all Christians would be like the church lady from Saturday Night Live). I struggled with the thought of family and friends who didn’t believe. I wondered if coming to faith would mean I had to leave those people behind. I struggled with sin. I struggled with finding my purpose. I just struggled. With. All. Of. It.
But then God came searching. In a lot of different ways. At first via my husband, Chad. Who explained faith in a logical way that resonated with my analytical mind. Then via a group of women at a Bible study at The Woodlands UMC. Then via the Bible itself, as I fell in love with God and with Jesus via the narratives and words of Scripture. Finally, on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. When I was struggling to discern the path ahead. God whispered in my ear, “It’s time to get out of the boat. I want you to be a pastor. I know you don’t think you’re capable to handle the task, but I will be with you.”
My friends, I, too, was one way. Now I’m completely different. And in the middle was Him. In the middle always is Him.
What about you? Do you have a story of transformation to tell? Or perhaps you are ready to dive into faith for the first time and experience the redeeming love of God? Leave me a comment below or simply type your name and I will pray for you.
