Transformation Thread

Hi sisters,

I’ve been skimming back through my quiet times and I’m having a difficult time putting any into words. My quiet times have felt more personal the last few months- which makes it hard to explain without a huge backstory! Certain words or phrases seem to be “popping off the page” and ministering to my soul.

One thing I have noticed is the incredible amount of transformation and restoration language I’ve read. I thought I would simply list out these phrases which have been speaking to me through God’s Word. If a verse sticks out to you, read it in its context to get a better picture, especially since some of them are only portions of a verse.

I hope they bring your heart wonder as you ponder them for yourself!

But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you (Deuteronomy‬ ‭23:5‬).

I will raise up their ruins (Isaiah 44:26).

To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations (Isaiah 61:3-4).

And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. . . Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand (Jeremiah 18:4,6).

For I will restore health to you and your wounds I will heal (Jeremiah 30:17).

In that day, I will raise up. . . I will restore. . . I will plant (from Amos 9).

I will change your shame into praise (Zephaniah 3:19).

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work (II Timothy‬ ‭2:21‬).

Obviously there are many verses that display God’s acts of transformation and restoration (I had many more I didn’t list!). It’s a theme threaded throughout all Scripture. It’s part of the story God is telling. He designed us to participate in this restoration and transformation: not only in our personal lives, but also in His Kingdom!

So then I have been asking myself: do others see a consistent transformation in my life? Do they also see me participating to bring restoration and transformation to others?

What about you? Are you resisting God’s transformation? Are you walking along side other women to help them have restoration? These verses above are beautiful, but in context you’ll see hardships, chaos, and the messiness of life. Whether by things we’ve done, what others have done to us, or by simply living in a fallen world, we experience an array of hardships. Yet with every one, God is molding us and will never waste our pain.

One way that pain isn’t wasted is investing our lives into other women- sharing our lives and stories with them while helping them follow Jesus. Jesus showed us that discipleship will transform the foundations of the earth, one woman at a time. God has given us a story (and He is still writing it), which is meant to impact others.

What darkness tries to use to destroy us, God uses to refine us. The shame the enemy would use to bury us, God turns into praise that beckons others to Him. Let us trust Him and participate in His transformational work!