Transformed

I am very excited to get more into this book and practice the spiritual disciplines! I went through this book a few years ago for a class at school, but I am looking forward to studying the disciplines again and perhaps feeling less pressure because it is not for a class/grade.

On page 7 Foster states, “the disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us.” My heart is yearning to become more like Christ and get rid of all this grossness in me. It is not enough to just cover up the gross stuff in my life. I must actually get cleaned out and get rid of it.
This requires a transformation.
Constantly.

This reminds me of Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” God calls us to be transformed, different, changed people.

Sometimes I find myself in a rut in which I hopelessly cry out to God and ask Him why I do not feel changed and why do I still feel so bleh inside? I think this is because I forget to completely lay everything aside and find rest in Him. I get distracted by the many things in my life and so when I am with Him, I am not always willing for Him to dig inside and change this messed up heart around. Therefore, practicing the disciplines gets me excited because if I truly am practicing them, I am hoping my heart can really open up to Him transforming me even more than He already has so far. Foster then explains that the path (following the disciplines) itself does not produce change but it places us where change can occur. This is powerful for me because I often just need to be pushed to a place where transformation can happen.
I cannot be transformed on my own – I need His help.
And I cannot be transformed if I do not let Him.