Becoming

We must become something different, to do something different, in order to have something different. Jesus exampled this when he did the seemingly impossible. God became flesh and gave up heaven, made himself nothing, took the form of a servant, humbled himself, and obediently died on a cross. As a result, the Father  exalted him and gave Him the name that is above every name. (Phil. 2:6-11)

For us to have the attitude or mind of Christ, we, too, must become something different and do something different in order to have something different.

To become something different is a work in progress. It begins the minute I choose to change my bad habits into Christ-like habits. Anyone involved with a Twelve Step Program knows this happens one day at a time. You overcome addictions by putting one day at time together until there is a string of them. That’s also how you overcome selfishness, rage, impatience, and anything else that is ungodly or unworthy of a disciple.

Becoming something different, that is, becoming more like the Lord, is one of those goals we should tack onto our mirror or refrigerator. You might want to write out a verse and place it where you have to see it daily. Imagine facing yourself in the mirror each morning along with “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). It would remind you of what you have become — one of God’s chosen; what you should do — put on clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; and what you have — a Father that picked you.