More Than Change
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are here. In this moment, be present. Take a few breaths, grab a coffee or tea. Be present. Be here. You deserve the peace of this moment. Bask in the joy of knowing that you belong.
Change happens to us whether we like it or not. How can we facilitate an intentional change in ourselves and in the world around us through a deeper connection with God?
The only way to grow is to embrace change.
— Anonymous
In the presence of God, a person is stripped of their titles, their worldly defenses, and they stand face to face with the Divine. It is here that true transformation begins, because you realize your worth is inherent, given by God, not the world.
— Howard Thurman
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Because of all that God has done, we now have a new perspective. We used to show regard for people based on worldly standards and interests. No longer. We used to think of the Anointed in the same way. No longer. Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun!
Food for Thought
I have always been intrigued by the idea of change. It is interesting to listen to people talk about all the ways they want to change their lives, their appearance, their jobs, and so much more. Change is one of the few constants in our lives. We are always looking for ways to become better versions of ourselves. Whether intentional or not, change happens, and it can affect our lives for better or worse.
Just like the environment around us, our bodies change and adapt with every season. Lower temperatures and humidity can reduce skin hydration, forcing the skin to work harder to maintain its moisture barrier. Colder temperatures prompt brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, to generate heat and increase our resting metabolic rate. Our bodies adapt because the world around us changes. So, ready or not, change is inevitable.
But not all change is transformation.
Sometimes change is driven by the belief that something about us is not enough. We change our appearance, our circumstances, our habits, even our identities, hoping that somewhere on the other side of change we will finally become worthy. But God does not look at us and see a problem to be fixed. God sees beloved people, already bearing the divine image.
Transformation, then, is not about becoming someone God can finally love. It is about becoming more fully who we were created to be—and allowing that deeper sense of belovedness to change the way we live, love, and move through the world.
This kind of transformation begins with our connection to God, the Divine One. Our connection to God challenges us to embrace a kind of change that reaches deeper than the surface. It shifts our understanding of who we are and who we are meant to be in the world. When we are stuck in a rut and cannot imagine a way forward, God reminds us that growth is possible—not simply for our own sake, but because we are called to love our neighbors.
Paul describes this kind of transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:16–17. A life connected to the Anointed fundamentally transforms our worldview. The change that comes from our proximity to God is not simply about looking or feeling better. It does not seek to prove our righteousness or make us more acceptable. Instead, it frees us from old ways of thinking rooted in prejudice, self-doubt, fear, and the desire to conform to the status quo. It rescues us from hate and division and from a society that too often ties our worth to productivity. It introduces us to a radical alternative—one rooted in love.
And change should never stop with us.
The Womanist theologian Dr. Emilie Townes reminds us, “A new creation in Christ cannot ignore a broken world. Our transformation must move us from the pews to the public square, dismantling systems of injustice because now we see every human being through the eyes of God.”
Our transformation must move us from our homes, from our small groups, from our computer screens, from our workplaces, and into the world around us. Because when we begin to see ourselves differently through the eyes of God, we also begin to see our neighbors differently. And when we see our neighbors differently, we cannot help but notice the systems, assumptions, and patterns that keep some people from experiencing the same belovedness, dignity, and freedom we have come to know.
Being connected to the Anointed enables us not merely to change, but to become new—not into someone different, but into someone more fully alive to the image of God already within us.
And when we begin to see ourselves, our neighbors, and our world through that same loving gaze, our transformation cannot help but spill beyond ourselves. We become ready not only to be changed, but to participate in the healing and transformation of the world around us.
Paint a picture. Notice that, in order to change the look of the page, you need to dip the brush in the ink. What similarities do you see in the connection between your brush and the paint to the connection we must have with God? When we are connected to God, we can make beautiful changes to ourselves and the world.
Think about all the ways you have changed. Journal about, doodle, paint, or sculpt out of modeling clay or Play-Doh a past version of yourself. Then, create the version of yourself as you are today. How are you different now?
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
O God who knows us deeply,
Help us to stay connected to you so that we may experience meaningful transformation. May our transformation guide us to live in the world deeply rooted in your love for us and others. When self-doubt creeps in and tries to hold us back and keep us stuck in despair and hopelessness, remind us of your love and presence that sparks healthy and meaningful change in our lives.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
By what metric are you measuring your self-worth? How is God reminding you of your inherent value as a new creation?
When you think of change, what fears does that bring up for you? How can being connected to God help you get past those fears?
What changes do you want to see happen in your community? What can you do to make those changes happen? Remember, change can happen one small step at a time.
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Ask your kiddo about some changes they have noticed about themselves from last year to this year. How have they grown? How has their situation changed – are they in a new school? Do they have a new teacher? Have they made new friends? Talk about some changes you notice in the world.
How can changes be helpful? What makes them hard sometimes?
Find a fall leaf and examine it (or look up a picture of one if you do not live near seasonal trees). Notice how the leaf changes color – these changes allow the trees and plants to prepare for winter. How can the changes we experience help us prepare for the next season of life? Remind your child that God is with us in the changing of life, and that beautiful things can be revealed even as we navigate seasons of change.
Meet This WEek’s Writer...
James Blay is the former Vice President of Administration at the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. He now serves as the Coordinator for Children’s Programs with Passport Camps. James and his wife, Allison, enjoy spending their days with their sweet kiddos and their energetic pup, Benny!
To hear more from James throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!