Transformation and Love
Sunset at rugged beach in La Jolla, California (September 2024)
I often speak of “transformation” in my blog posts. In his book, Surrender to Love, David Benner, a clinical psychologist and Christian spiritual director, says,
“The language of transformation is too optimistic for psychologists … [it] is profoundly Christian. Paul reminds us that the goal of the spiritual journey is being transformed into the image of God—the image we were created to reflect (2 Corinthians 3:18). Christian transformation never settles for cosmetic adjustments. It involves being reborn—remade into who we were destined from eternity to be.”
Jesus, Benner reminds his readers, used a variety of steps and words, but “All seemed to invite the same response—death to their old kingdom of self and an awakening of a new life of surrender to Perfect Love.”
Increasingly, I realize that while salvation because of Jesus is a gift of grace, transformation into greater likeness of Jesus is a lifelog process. The words of Dr. Benner encourage me to keep moving forward.
“My attachment to sinful ways of being is much too strong to ever be undone by mere willpower …. Divine love transforms both my heart and my will. Divine love enables me to choose God’s will over mine. Without this, repentance will be nothing more than a self-help scheme based on effort and resolve.”
I long for spiritual transformation, but frankly, it often feels rather improbable that such an imperfect person as I could accurately reflect the “image of God.”
Recently, I discussed this with a spiritual mentor, Dr. Deborah Gill, who gave great insight. She said, “I paraphrase Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20): ‘I labored harder than them all—Oh! Yet not I, it was the grace of God within me!’” Then, Debbie reminded me of something I’d like to pass on to you. “The process of our transformation takes all of us and all of Him. And IT IS happening! Glory to God!”
I am not certain about you, but I am committed to keep learning how to more fully surrender to God who according to the Apostle John, IS LOVE. God invites us to surrender to The One Who is Love, and as we do, in some mysteriously Divine way, transformation—IS happening, and all glory belongs to God who was, and is, and always will be!
In a broken world, filled with hurting people longing for love, I find that invitation very hopeful!
Blessings on your journey of love,
