ALTERED

“And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered,

and his clothing became dazzling white.”

Luke 9:29

The person in this story is Jesus, and it is the story of “The Transfiguration” (Luke 9:28-36).   He was with Peter, John, and James.  Though some would say that the keyword here is “praying,” to me it is the word “altered.”  It speaks!

In amazement I imagine what it must have been like to actually witness this transfiguration…humbled, I picture myself prostrate in prayer, mostly out of plain humility, but partly out of pure shock! Nevertheless, I am in wonder! I am in awe!

Of this entire story, this sentence parallels what happens when we, the broken, the ones who have been and are cast out, realize the gift God gave us in Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus’ facial appearance was ‘altered’ and his clothing changed, so too do we resemble this altered state when we give our hearts to him and choose to live our lives in a journey walk with him. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

Something astounding happens. Within this journey, a realization occurs. We are altered! We become clean! There is a joyfulness that overwhelms, a peace that comes beyond our understanding, and a different type of love that goes beyond the boundaries of blood; and when we allow our hearts, through prayer, God uses us for His Glory. What matters is his kingdom, not ours.

As we approach this time of remembrance, my heart is grateful for the “alteration” that has, sometimes painstakingly, taken place. I am without words to describe the type of love I have been given, and grace and mercy that has been granted. My prayer is that I never forget where I was, nor where I came from, for He has molded me through it all. It is that He will, through His transfiguration of me, use me as His vessel, that He will shine through my cracks, and that I am reminded that in all things I do…to do it for the glory of His Kingdom, not the will of my own, for I have been altered!