Well, it’s complete!  Jeremy is in Bryan.  He started work this week-end and commences class tomorrow.  Today, I took the girls and Cammi for our first family outing without him.  And now, as I write this, I am sitting in what was his room now completely transformed into my office and spiritual retreat room.

I was sitting here, trying to get a feel of this new space and thinking about how much work was involved in making this transformation. In reality, it is not complete – it is merely complete enough to begin.  As I thought about all the next steps, it occurred to me that transformation is usually like this.

St Paul tells us in Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We’re tempted to read this transformation as an event or experience.  Complete it, get the degree, the gold star, the certificate – then you will know God’s will – but it’s really a process to undertake daily and coming to know God’s will is a moment-to-moment enterprise.  He does not show us the plan – but says only, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:13  He does not make all the lights green for us before we leave the house but he promises he will guide us on the right path as we follow him.

Jeremy is just starting college and adult life, and I am only ready to begin using this space as God has put in my mind.  If he and I don’t stay the course, continue daily in this transformation, then the full value of the transformation is loss.  If the butterfly only stepped out of the cocoon but then continued as a caterpillar, well, that would just not be the same.

So Lord, help Jeremy and I and our family continue in the transformation that you’ve started in our life – renewing our minds daily and so living in the confidence of your good, pleasing and perfect will. Thank you, Farther, for getting us to this starting line – now help us to run the race set before us to your glory.