This might hurt a bit..

“And we all…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2. Cor. 3.19)

I am reminded of a praise song we often sang at devotionals growing up, one that I never much cared for.  I didn’t necessarily despise it as a song, but something about its message seemed a bit off to me, though I could never put my finger on exactly what it was.  I just knew that it irritated me to see my fellow Aggies for Christ singing this song on the steps of the Academic building on campus, eyes closed, hands held upward… but then again, I was a foolish, angry young man with only a few good ideas, a lot of heart, and a spiritual chip on my shoulder…nevertheless, something still seemed 'off' to me. The chorus of the song went as  follows:

My heart is hard / My soul so weak / The ways of evil / Cut so deep / I need You, Lord / To come inside / And gently break / My heart. (from the praise song “Break My Heart”)

I’m now much older, about to turn 37 at the end of this week.  I am somewhat wiser, less prideful, more humble than I was 15 years ago.  I have much less of a chip on my shoulder, though I still haven't gotten rid of it completely.  And guess what?  That song still bothers me to this day.  At least now I know why.

If you are serious about asking God to change your heart: If you are willing to put on Christ fully, totally, completely:  If you are truly ready to give up control of your own life, to let God mold “You” into “Christ-In-You”: If you are serious about being transformed ‘from one degree of glory to another”: If you are willing to be transformed into His image and likeness, then I must warn you, having learned from my own humble experience….

God doesn’t “Gently Break Hearts.” That’s not God’s way: He is not in the ‘gently breaking hearts’ business. Sure, ask Him to do so, sing the song all you want, pray that song every night, and hope for the best.  Wishful thinking is not a bad thing.

BUT..

Do not be surprised if God chooses not to tap lightly on the door of your heart but instead rips the door off its hinges, using a jack-hammer and wrecking ball to smash ‘your heart’ to bits!  Do not be alarmed when you realize that, in many cases, God breaks and transforms and renews hearts with all the subtlety of a 20 lb. sledge hammer –  

Do you assume that He, who did not spare even his own Son, would in turn use only half measures with you?  God’s business of transforming us into the image of his Son is indeed a very serious one.  It is not light business, nor is it to be considered 'gentle.'  Transformation in its truest sense requires pain.  It demands a complete reprogramming of the heart and soul, a complete life-long renewal of the mind, and these things are not easy, certainly not light or gentle.  It’s not that God wishes to harm us or abuse us.  It’s just that if we are really ready to hand over our “Me” to Christ in hopes of becoming the newer, more alive, freer “Christ-in-Me,” then it should come as no surprise to us if a good bit of suffering is involved. 

Consider the following, my favorite C.S. Lewis quote:

“Christ says ‘Give me All.  I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You.  I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it.  No half-measures are any good.  I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down.  I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out.  Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit.  I will give you a new self instead.  In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.’” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

Christ Himself warned his followers to be sure and ‘count the cost’ of following Him (Luke 14), likening their following Him as somewhat of a death march.  (What else would ‘take up your cross and follow me’ signify?)  And I am not writing today in order to revel in the pain and suffering that can be brought about by spiritual transformation, nor am I wanting to bum you out!

I merely want to remind you that our Way in Christ is not an easy one; there is a reason it is a narrow Way.  To ask God to ‘gently break our hearts’ can be naive and half-hearted attempt at being a follower of Christ.  You have to know and accept going in that this might hurt a bit. And if you are currently suffering from the ‘growing pains’ that ensue from your walk of faith, then be encouraged(!) because a) this means God is refining you (you are currently a work-in-progress), and that b) this suffering produces endurance, which produces character, which produces Hope, which does not disappoint! God will not give you anything that you can’t handle, and Christ promises comfort to all that come to Him.  The very source that is painfully transforming us to bear His image and His likeness is also our source of comfort, strength, renewal, and love.  So hang in there, and know that ALL followers of Christ are growing just as you are, may be experiencing pain similar to yours, and are here to help you along your journey...it may hurt, but hey, we're all in this together!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2. Cor.5.17)

Peace in Christ to all,

Mark