- photo by Susan PageEaster is a time when we stop and reflect on the gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Good News of the cross has the power to transform lives.

The topic of transformation is … quite frankly, transforming! We celebrate Easter at the time of year when we start to see winter transforming into springtime. Observe the renewal we see all around us. The tadpole changes into a frog. The caterpillar metamorphizes into a beautiful butterfly and the downpour of fresh spring rain brings renewal. Transformation is displayed in God’s very own handiwork.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Daily renewal in Christ changes our attitudes and revolutionizes our behaviour. Just like in nature, we, by faith become new creations in Christ Jesus and that’s a beautiful thing. New and improved, the salt and light that flavours and brightens our world!

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 13-16).

Sometimes, this newness quickly fades or becomes lackluster when our focus on Christ shifts or grows dim. This is reflected in our thoughts, deeds, and attitudes. We become weary of doing good when we operate out of our own strength, for our own glory. We become impatient, intolerant, and perhaps even brittle or bitter if we are focused on our selfish wants or desires. The truth is that whatever we behold is what we become. If our focus shifts from the eternal and if we allow the enemy to take a foothold, then we become less than God calls us to be. We become what Christ wants us to be when we behold Him by sitting at His feet, leaning in, and learning to be more like Him.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3: 1-4).

Ruth Chou Simons in her book Beholding and Becoming states “It’s supernatural to be transformed and changed in heart so that we are able to love God though we have not seen Him… to trust Jesus though we’ve never touched Him. When God spoke to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel, He described the heart change that only God can do.”

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

As we pause and reflect this Easter, may God continue His work of transformation in us as we become what we behold for His glory!

Easter Pause

I pause in the pre-dawn of Easter
Surveying that old, rugged tree
My sin held Him there
My shame laid Him bare
His blood poured out freely for me

I look in the eyes of my Saviour
Raw pain and pure love inter-twined
He paid such a price
Complete sacrifice
The wonder of such grace divine

I hear now the voice of my Master
It’s finished! Triumphant His cry
New life from the grave
He willingly gave
His ALL so that I’ll never die

- Susan Page Susan Page is friend of Pastor Tim and Susan's. For many years she has written devotionals for the National Prayer Guide of the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada where she serves as their Church Relations Coordinator / Health Benefits Manager.