Dear Reader,
When my grandson was born and I was helping his mom during those first days of motherhood, I hung out at their apartment with her so she wouldn’t be alone while my son was at work. I didn’t have much to do when she and the baby were napping–which was often–so I binge watched episodes of fixer-upper shows.
I loved watching the transformation of the unfit into the fabulous. Spaces that were barely liveable became beautiful. All they needed was a lot of sweat and the touch of the master’s hand. Thanks, Chip and Joanna.
And that’s what God does for us, doesn’t he? He takes our sins that are like scarlet and makes them as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). He brings us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
If you’ve ever seen anyone who has turned from a life of sin and begun to follow Jesus, it really is a wonder to behold. When they stop turning to the things of this world that used to hold appeal—abusing alcohol or drugs, destructive lifestyles, cheating to get ahead—and start living a life of love and joy, rooted in Christ and strengthened by his Holy Spirit, you can’t help but rejoice.
And God works to transform our hearts every day, whether we’re new to following him or not. In this issue of The Redbud Post, our writers explore the theme of Transformation. What does it look like? How can we prepare the soil of our hearts for God’s work? What will I look like, feel like, think like, in the process?
Transformation can be scary, but the process is always worth it. Let our writers know what you think. And may God add his blessing to their words!
Stephanie Reeves
Editor in Chief