âEverything at IKEA requires assembly. I bought a pillow; they gave me a duck.â âTodd Glass
When I became a Christian at the age of 30, I truly had a âscales falling off the eyesâ experience. I was driving to church one morning, just days after becoming a believer and nearly drove off the side of the road when I noticed a beautiful flowering tree. Of course, I had seen the tree many times before â but previously, I did not know God as Creator. I was instantly awe-struck in seeing the world through new eyes. What I once viewed as a cosmic accident suddenly came to life. And though it was a day I will never forget, not everything about me was transformed that day. In many ways, I still looked like a duck. Certain things take more time. There was still âsome assembly required.â
Instant Transformation or Daily Cooperation?
Many people have the misguided notion that becoming a Christian means that God instantly transforms us. That we instantly embody all of the compassion, self-control, and sacrificial love as our Lord Jesus. Then, when we fail (and we will), the world uses us as an excuse for dismissing Christianity as a hoax. But there is a difference between becoming a citizen of Godâs glorious Kingdom and to cooperate daily with His Holy Spirit to live it out.
“Therefore, my beloved … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
How God Sees You
While the Holy Spirit indwells all believers (1 Corinthians 3:16), God, in His sovereign wisdom, chose for us to remain in our sinful flesh in a sinful world, at least for a short time, to be His agents in a fallen world. And who are we to question His wisdom? I, for one, am thankful for all of the people throughout history who struggled through life, sometimes making poor choices, yet God used them anyway. People like Abraham, Moses, and Esther, to name just a few. When God chooses to use someone âwith some assembly required,â the world takes notice. That is when we are perfectly positioned to introduce them to our Maker. And praise God that, when He looks at us, He does not see us as a duck, or with still some assembly required. Rather, He sees us as a perfect reflection of His Son, both inside and out (Colossians 1:22, Ephesians 1:4).
âAnd we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lordâs glory, are being transformed into his likeness from glory to glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.â (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Do you need a reminder of how precious you are in Godâs sight? Learn more about my Bible study, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me.
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of Godâs Word. She holds a masterâs in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is author of several books and Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR, winner of two literary awards!
Amen!!
I’m glad you enjoyed the article, Deb!