Moving Beyond The First Encounter
This post is written based on the Message from Russ Kline titled: From Awakening to Transformation
In the journey of faith, we often experience moments of spiritual awakening - instances where we become acutely aware of God's presence and power. These encounters can be life-changing, filling us with awe and wonder. But what happens after the initial excitement fades? How do we move from a fleeting experience to lasting transformation?
The story of Jacob in the Bible provides a powerful illustration of this journey. As a young man, Jacob had a remarkable encounter with God at a place he named Bethel, which means "house of God." He saw a stairway reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, and heard God's voice promising him blessing and protection. It was an undeniably supernatural experience.
Yet, despite this divine encounter, Jacob continued to live as a deceiver for many years afterward. He recognized God's presence, but his heart and character remained largely unchanged. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today. We can have powerful spiritual experiences, witness miracles, and even proclaim God's goodness, but still fail to be truly transformed.
The danger lies in focusing on the place of encounter rather than the Person we encounter. Jacob set up a pillar to commemorate his experience at Bethel, but he didn't fully surrender his life to God. Similarly, we can become enamored with the emotions, the goosebumps, or the memory of a spiritual high without allowing God to change us from the inside out.
True transformation requires more than an awakening; it demands a wrestling. Years after his Bethel experience, Jacob found himself alone one night, wrestling with a mysterious figure who turned out to be God Himself. This encounter was different. It wasn't just about witnessing something amazing; it was about engaging in a personal, intimate struggle with the Divine.
During this wrestling match, God asked Jacob a profound question: "What is your name?" This wasn't a request for information; it was an invitation for Jacob to confront his true identity. In biblical times, names often reflected character. By admitting he was "Jacob" (which means "deceiver"), he was acknowledging his flawed nature before God.
This moment of brutal honesty became the turning point. God didn't reject Jacob for his admission. Instead, He gave him a new name - Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." This name change signified a transformation of identity and purpose. Jacob was no longer defined by his past but by his relationship with God.
The wrestling left Jacob with a limp, a physical reminder of his encounter with God. This "blessed limp" became a symbol of his transformation. It showed that he had been touched by God in a way that forever changed how he walked through life.
What does this mean for us today? Like Jacob, we need to move beyond simply remembering our spiritual experiences to actively engaging with God in the nitty-gritty of our daily lives. We must be willing to wrestle - to bring our true selves before God, even the parts we'd rather hide.
This process of transformation isn't always comfortable. It might leave us with our own version of a "limp" - perhaps a newfound humility, a shift in priorities, or a change in how we relate to others. But these marks of transformation are far more valuable than any temporary spiritual high.
As we see signs of awakening in our world - people becoming more aware of spiritual realities, questioning long-held beliefs, and seeking truth - we must remember that awakening is just the beginning. Our goal should be nothing less than complete transformation, both individually and collectively.
This transformation starts with honesty before God. We need to ask ourselves: Who are we really when no one is watching? What parts of our old nature are we still carrying around? It's time to lay these things down at the feet of Jesus and embrace our new identity in Him.
The apostle Paul captures this beautifully in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We don't have to fear being honest with God. When we admit our weaknesses and failures, He doesn't condemn us. Instead, He offers us a new identity and a new way of living.
As we pursue transformation, we must also be careful not to create idols out of spiritual experiences or even spiritual leaders. Our ultimate allegiance must be to Jesus Christ alone. We can appreciate and learn from others, but our faith must be grounded in a personal relationship with God.
The journey from awakening to transformation isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process. Like Jacob, we may need to revisit the places of our first encounters with God, but with a deeper understanding and commitment. We move from merely setting up pillars of remembrance to building altars of sacrifice and worship.
In this process, God often accelerates His work in our lives. When we're willing to be honest and surrender ourselves fully to Him, He can do more in a short time than we might have imagined possible. This acceleration isn't just for our benefit - it's to position us to impact our world for His kingdom.
As we see the rumblings of awakening in our nation and beyond, let's not settle for surface-level change. Let's press in for true transformation. May we be a people who not only experience God's presence but are fundamentally changed by it. May we carry the marks of our encounters with Him, walking with a "blessed limp" that testifies to His transforming power.
Let's move beyond merely talking about God to truly knowing the God we talk about. May our lives reflect not just moments of awakening, but ongoing transformation that impacts every area of our existence. As we do, we'll find ourselves equipped to be heralds of God's message, roaring with the strength of lions, and standing firm against the challenges of our time.
The journey from awakening to transformation is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Are you ready to wrestle with God and emerge changed? The invitation is open. The time is now.
In the journey of faith, we often experience moments of spiritual awakening - instances where we become acutely aware of God's presence and power. These encounters can be life-changing, filling us with awe and wonder. But what happens after the initial excitement fades? How do we move from a fleeting experience to lasting transformation?
The story of Jacob in the Bible provides a powerful illustration of this journey. As a young man, Jacob had a remarkable encounter with God at a place he named Bethel, which means "house of God." He saw a stairway reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, and heard God's voice promising him blessing and protection. It was an undeniably supernatural experience.
Yet, despite this divine encounter, Jacob continued to live as a deceiver for many years afterward. He recognized God's presence, but his heart and character remained largely unchanged. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today. We can have powerful spiritual experiences, witness miracles, and even proclaim God's goodness, but still fail to be truly transformed.
The danger lies in focusing on the place of encounter rather than the Person we encounter. Jacob set up a pillar to commemorate his experience at Bethel, but he didn't fully surrender his life to God. Similarly, we can become enamored with the emotions, the goosebumps, or the memory of a spiritual high without allowing God to change us from the inside out.
True transformation requires more than an awakening; it demands a wrestling. Years after his Bethel experience, Jacob found himself alone one night, wrestling with a mysterious figure who turned out to be God Himself. This encounter was different. It wasn't just about witnessing something amazing; it was about engaging in a personal, intimate struggle with the Divine.
During this wrestling match, God asked Jacob a profound question: "What is your name?" This wasn't a request for information; it was an invitation for Jacob to confront his true identity. In biblical times, names often reflected character. By admitting he was "Jacob" (which means "deceiver"), he was acknowledging his flawed nature before God.
This moment of brutal honesty became the turning point. God didn't reject Jacob for his admission. Instead, He gave him a new name - Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." This name change signified a transformation of identity and purpose. Jacob was no longer defined by his past but by his relationship with God.
The wrestling left Jacob with a limp, a physical reminder of his encounter with God. This "blessed limp" became a symbol of his transformation. It showed that he had been touched by God in a way that forever changed how he walked through life.
What does this mean for us today? Like Jacob, we need to move beyond simply remembering our spiritual experiences to actively engaging with God in the nitty-gritty of our daily lives. We must be willing to wrestle - to bring our true selves before God, even the parts we'd rather hide.
This process of transformation isn't always comfortable. It might leave us with our own version of a "limp" - perhaps a newfound humility, a shift in priorities, or a change in how we relate to others. But these marks of transformation are far more valuable than any temporary spiritual high.
As we see signs of awakening in our world - people becoming more aware of spiritual realities, questioning long-held beliefs, and seeking truth - we must remember that awakening is just the beginning. Our goal should be nothing less than complete transformation, both individually and collectively.
This transformation starts with honesty before God. We need to ask ourselves: Who are we really when no one is watching? What parts of our old nature are we still carrying around? It's time to lay these things down at the feet of Jesus and embrace our new identity in Him.
The apostle Paul captures this beautifully in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We don't have to fear being honest with God. When we admit our weaknesses and failures, He doesn't condemn us. Instead, He offers us a new identity and a new way of living.
As we pursue transformation, we must also be careful not to create idols out of spiritual experiences or even spiritual leaders. Our ultimate allegiance must be to Jesus Christ alone. We can appreciate and learn from others, but our faith must be grounded in a personal relationship with God.
The journey from awakening to transformation isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process. Like Jacob, we may need to revisit the places of our first encounters with God, but with a deeper understanding and commitment. We move from merely setting up pillars of remembrance to building altars of sacrifice and worship.
In this process, God often accelerates His work in our lives. When we're willing to be honest and surrender ourselves fully to Him, He can do more in a short time than we might have imagined possible. This acceleration isn't just for our benefit - it's to position us to impact our world for His kingdom.
As we see the rumblings of awakening in our nation and beyond, let's not settle for surface-level change. Let's press in for true transformation. May we be a people who not only experience God's presence but are fundamentally changed by it. May we carry the marks of our encounters with Him, walking with a "blessed limp" that testifies to His transforming power.
Let's move beyond merely talking about God to truly knowing the God we talk about. May our lives reflect not just moments of awakening, but ongoing transformation that impacts every area of our existence. As we do, we'll find ourselves equipped to be heralds of God's message, roaring with the strength of lions, and standing firm against the challenges of our time.
The journey from awakening to transformation is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Are you ready to wrestle with God and emerge changed? The invitation is open. The time is now.
No Comments