Christian Writers Circle

Transformation to Freedom in Christ

by Brenda D. Flowers

Have you ever watched a preschooler approach a giant pile of leaves? One day this fall I was raking the large oak leaves which covered my back yard and my grandsons, ages three and four offered to” help” me rake. I knew what that meant. They really wanted grandmommy to rake piles of leaves so they could enjoy jumping in them. In fact, Tavis, my four year old grandson proved what I suspected as he stated, “Grandmommy, rake a giant pile of leaves, the biggest pile you’ve ever raked. ” His eyes were bright with anticipation.

When my young grandsons approached the giant leaf pile I succeeded in raking, they ran with wild abandon, exuding with life and freedom, laughing joyfully as they hurled themselves into the leaves. Every part of them seemed relaxed as they plopped backwards again and again, that is, once I reraked the pile to its original height far above the taller grandson’s height.

Then it came time for me to gather up the other piles I had been raking while the boys played. As I began unfolding a large white sheet to lay on the ground near a couple of smaller piles, my grandsons’ attention turned away from the giant leaf pile to the sheet. Bouncing over to the sheet, Tavis then laid down on the sheet and began rolling himself in the sheet, looking like a white cocoon. That began another game and a teachable moment. I pretended he was a caterpillar making a chrysalis and when he emerged he was a handsome butterfly. He delightedly escaped from the sheet and pretended to fly around the yard while his younger brother, Wyatt, watched inquisitively.

Then it was Wyatt’s turn. The only problem was when Wyatt rolled himself into the sheet, he couldn’t get himself free. It was like he was caught in a trap. I am sure it was dark under the layers of sheet and he couldn’t see a way out. Raking nearby, I suddenly heard his laughter turn into scared cries. I worked quickly to set my younger grandson free and soon he was smiling and freely running and “flying” with his brother.

It wasn’t long after this incident when I heard a sermon regarding Paul’s letters to the young Christians in Galatia and Corinth. The minister shared how Paul wrote these letters, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to challenge Christians to grow in maturity and to recognize who they were in Christ. These Christians were being influenced by false doctrines and by the ways of the world and thus were living in bondage. Paul challenged his brothers and sisters in Christ and us today to recognize that we are no longer who we were before we accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Our heart is transformed and we can walk daily with joy and freedom in newness of life. In Galatians 5: 1, Paul penned these words, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again in the yoke of bondage.” (NKJV)

When I was a teenager, my church’s youth group met in a building called The Chrysalis. What a perfect title for a building where young Christians were being mentored. Watching my grandsons pretending to transform to butterflies reminded me of the transformation which should be seen by nonbelievers daily in the lives of Christians. Paul reminded Christians in his time period and Holy Spirit reminds me now, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)

Lord, I pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. May we, as Christians, live our lives with the recognition that we are transformed into new creatures and don’t need to be living immature lives caught in the bondages and temptations of the world. May we recognize we are maturing sons and daughters of the King of kings. May we experience the joy, freedom and life which is promised and be true ambassadors for Christ.”