Resolutions You Can Keep (part 5)

Reconnect:
A transforming Holy Spirit make-over requires 1) reflection on what we really believe about our faith, 2) resolution to make ourselves available to whatever the Holy Spirit wants to do in us, 3) spiritual renewal to energize our thoughts and actions, and 4) reconnection with God and man.

2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that, “God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself … gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” We must be dedicated to the ministry of reconciliation if we are going to reflect and glorify Christ in our lives. We cannot be transformed apart from God, and we cannot complete our task of reconciling others with God if we are not first reconciled with them ourselves.

Reconnect with God. The closer we are to God, the more dynamic our transformation will be. We need to train ourselves to turn our attention to God in all times and in all situations. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Never stop praying.” How is this possible – or even practical? Henri Nouwen wrote,

Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is "unceasing." …we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love.

Prayer is communication with God, and communication is a two way street; listening as well as petitioning! Scripture tells us that Jesus came as our Immanuel – “God-with-us.” When we take this literally and strive to make each moment an experience of divine communication and participation with God’s Kingdom, we will find not only ourselves, but also our experiences, radically and dynamically transformed.

To experience dynamic transformation, we must strive to become acutely aware of the transforming powerful potential of the moment by consciously and continually reconnecting with God throughout the day.

Lord, help me to become more dependent upon You in every moment and every situation. Remind me throughout the day to reach out for You, and reconnect with You minute by minute. Amen