The Ingredients of Transformation

A brilliant autumn starts with one significant ingredient:

darkness.

Longer nights and less daylight cause chlorophyll production in the leaves to slow down and eventually stop.

Once chlorophyll breaks down, the green color lifts and other hues (yellow and orange) take over. The nutrients trapped inside the leaves can then cause red pigments to be created. These pigments help prepare the tree for the following spring.

Times of darkness are required for transformation.

And similarly locked inside of us, we have all the ingredients necessary for a brilliant transformation and preparation for new life. His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3

We are reminded of our own connection to a tree,

The Tree of Life...

We are the temple of the living God, 2 Cor 6:16, and by our free will

we can give God full reign to transform us for His purposes.

A tree is known by its leaves.

Jesus uses tree imagery to underscore this connection: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

As we accept that God is our Source, we can relax and remain in His care.

As we allow God to change us, we see God revealed through us.

As we acknowledge the ongoing transformation, we begin to resemble Him.

But knowing God is also knowing that God-in-flesh suffered dearly for us.

Suffering is part of the transformation process.

Peter, Christ's apostle, tells us not to be so surprised about suffering.

He implores us to make another connection: "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-14

Suffering paired with joy?

At first this connection seems impossible.

Suffering is painful, and it is normal for humans to fear pain.

But pain specialists tell us that in fact the fear of pain can often become the most unpleasant part of a painful experience.

There is fear that pain won't be tolerated.

There is fear that pain won't end.

There is fear that pain will overshadow everything else.

When fear enters the mind, the idea of pain becomes something even more threatening and dangerous than the pain itself.

Enter Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, to provide mindful perspective and enhance our understanding:

"One autumn day, I was in a park, absorbed in the contemplation of a very small but beautiful leaf, in the shape of a heart. Its color was almost red, and it was barely hanging on the branch, nearly ready to fall down. I spent a long time with it, and I asked the leaf a lot of questions …

I asked the leaf whether it was scared because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling. The leaf told me, “No. During the whole spring and summer I was very alive. I worked hard and helped nourish the tree, and much of me is in the tree. Please do not say that I am just this form, because the form of leaf is only a tiny part of me. I am the whole tree. I know that I am already inside the tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. That’s why I do not worry. As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, ‘I will see you again very soon.”

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17.

Since the Spirit of the Lord is within us, we are free from the fear of pain.

Since the Spirit of the Lord is within us, we are free to trust the Transformer and whatever the transformation may bring.

Since the Spirit of the Lord is within us, we are free to surrender, just like the leaf.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.

1 Peter 5:10

God is invested in our transformation.

Not only did He suffer for us, but He promises to suffer with us.

God promises that we won't have to tolerate suffering alone.

God promises that it won't go on forever.

God promises that we will be stronger and eventually settled.

God gives us the opportunity to share in His suffering...

Because suffering comes before the transformation.

God knows what He is doing.

It's going to be Brilliant...