Live Connected: Transformed LoveSample

It’s About Transformation

During a speaking engagement in London, my wife Kelly and I seized the opportunity to explore the city. Among our various ventures, we visited the Tower of London to witness the crown jewels, an astounding collection of 23,578 gemstones entrusted to the king or queen for the nation. As we walked gazing at case after case, we were amazed by the sheer luxury. Our tour through the Tower also served as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, a reminder of the countless jewels of the Christian walk.

Just as we marveled at the royal jewels, we are often mesmerized by the abundance of blessings and lessons in our Christian life. Much like the Tower’s gemstones, these jewels of wisdom and grace can be so overwhelming all together that we fail to appreciate them individually. But each jewel, lesson, and blessing holds unique beauty and value.

In Romans 12, Paul guides us through these spiritual jewels. He shows us the richness of our faith, from the humble sapphire of humility to the radiant ruby of love and the solid gold of faith. Some of these jewels we may already possess as uncut, unpolished gems. Our goal and aspiration should be to attain them all, cut and polished and ready to shine.

You see, the Christian life is not about ticking off items from a spiritual to-do list. It’s about transformation. It’s about letting Jesus work within us, refining us into better versions of ourselves. It’s about understanding that being transformed by Jesus changes the way we live. Our spiritual walk is not accomplished through willpower or hard work, but through Jesus Christ, who is working within us, polishing our rough edges, and guiding us to shine for Him.

Romans 12:1–2 encourage us individually to seek to be transformed by renewing our minds. In Romans 12:3–8, Paul reminds us, as a community of believers, that we each have a spiritual gift to serve the body of Christ. And in Romans 12:9–21, he urges us to explore how we can better love one another. Falling in love with Jesus changes your heart and life, leading to a genuine appreciation of the people of God, known as the church.

So, let’s embark on this journey together, walking through the crown jewels of our faith and appreciating each gemstone’s unique beauty and significance. After all, it’s in appreciating these spiritual treasures that we truly recognize the richness of our Christian walk.