Another article that I got from my church bulletin:
The theme that the Church invites us to reflect for the month of March is 'Mission for Transformation'.
This theme is especially relevant for us since it is during this month that we will enter and journey into the Season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday. The very spirit of Lent is connected with transformation, as we are called to turn away from sin and return to God with all our hearts.
What is transformation?
Many people think that 'transformation' simply means 'to change'. Yet there is a difference. Let me illustrate this with an example.
Imagine you are standing in front of the mirror and you notice that your shirt does not match the color of your pants. So, you remove the shirt and put on one which you think is more appropriate. This is change.
Now, imagine you are standing in front of the mirror and you become aware that you are not happy with the way you usually dress. You feel the clothes you wear do not suit your personality or express who you really are. And so you decide to change the way you dress. That is transformation.
Change therefore, is something that usually happens on the 'outside'. An event takes place, may affect us for awhile and in time is forgotten. It may or may not lead to transformation. Transformation often happens on the 'inside'. An event, an insight or an experience affects us so deeply that it bring about a sudden or gradual but significant change in the way we believe, think or behave. We are never the same again.
The willingness to change
Another difference between 'change' and 'transformation' is that while 'change' may be something that is forced upon us or entered with reluctance, 'transformation; requires from us the sincere willingness or desire to change.
So when speaking of Lent, we could see it as a period that is forced upon us by the Church or into which we enter reluctantly because of the 'usual' obligations it entails. Or we could enter into it a willingness to allow God to truly transform us on the 'inside' in His way and in His name.
Yes, Lent for us this year can be just another event on the Church's calendar or become a significance journey of transformation. The choice is up to us.
The theme that the Church invites us to reflect for the month of March is 'Mission for Transformation'.
This theme is especially relevant for us since it is during this month that we will enter and journey into the Season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday. The very spirit of Lent is connected with transformation, as we are called to turn away from sin and return to God with all our hearts.
What is transformation?
Many people think that 'transformation' simply means 'to change'. Yet there is a difference. Let me illustrate this with an example.
Imagine you are standing in front of the mirror and you notice that your shirt does not match the color of your pants. So, you remove the shirt and put on one which you think is more appropriate. This is change.
Now, imagine you are standing in front of the mirror and you become aware that you are not happy with the way you usually dress. You feel the clothes you wear do not suit your personality or express who you really are. And so you decide to change the way you dress. That is transformation.
Change therefore, is something that usually happens on the 'outside'. An event takes place, may affect us for awhile and in time is forgotten. It may or may not lead to transformation. Transformation often happens on the 'inside'. An event, an insight or an experience affects us so deeply that it bring about a sudden or gradual but significant change in the way we believe, think or behave. We are never the same again.
The willingness to change
Another difference between 'change' and 'transformation' is that while 'change' may be something that is forced upon us or entered with reluctance, 'transformation; requires from us the sincere willingness or desire to change.
So when speaking of Lent, we could see it as a period that is forced upon us by the Church or into which we enter reluctantly because of the 'usual' obligations it entails. Or we could enter into it a willingness to allow God to truly transform us on the 'inside' in His way and in His name.
Yes, Lent for us this year can be just another event on the Church's calendar or become a significance journey of transformation. The choice is up to us.
by Dr. Steven Selvaraju
This article is very meaningful and interesting... to me at lease. It talks about 'change' vs 'transformation'. We often try very hard to 'change' our lifestyles, to 'change' our attitude, to 'change' the way we talk... we even change that God will 'change' us. But through this article, we understand that 'change' is often outside, forced, and won't last long. What we should do pray to God is to be 'transformed' from the inside out, willingly, and always.
May God bless us, and with His great love, transform us from the inside out to be disciples of God and fisher of men.
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