Radically Changed

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43).

I was in my early 20s when Jesus transformed my life. As a sinner, separated from God, I lived as if I was the god of my life. Yet, I'm sure it looked like I lived well from an outsider's perspective! I wasn't committing any crimes; I had my family and friends, a great job, and was on track with what every 20-something was supposed to do.

After experiencing a time of loss and turmoil in my family, I remember sitting with my sister in her room and feeling an overwhelming need to pray. I knew who God was, but He was more of a magic genie rather than the Lord of my life. I felt like God was someone you pray to when you want something or to Whom you make empty promises. Nonetheless, I asked God if He would take over. I felt the weight of trying to do things on my own for so long, and I knew I couldn't keep doing it on my own. 

I quickly got involved with a local church, started serving, reading the Bible, and really the outside began to reflect the changes that God had made within. I can only imagine what it looked like to my friends and family to see such a change from the old me!

The transformation of a new believer is very much like what I imagine Martha and Mary must have felt after their brother Lazarus died. He had been in the grave for four days when Jesus came and "shouted, Lazarus, come out!"

We have expectations of what people should be or even what we should be, but when you encounter Jesus, and He radically changes you, it's as if you were dead like Lazarus and are now alive, walking out of the grave and into a new life!

Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for changing me from death to life! I pray that I will never forget that you made me new. May your Spirit move in mighty ways in my life and others’. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.