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I’ve Been Changed

Posted on 08.15.2012

Everywhere we look, we see just how much we, as a society, want to change. We want to look better, feel better, and project a better image. We want to do better at our jobs and advance in our careers. Sometimes we want to change so that we can be perceived better or treated better. We all have different motives for wanting to change.

Admit it: We all want to be nicer, gentler, smarter, healthier, wiser, thinner and prettier. We want to be more spiritual and well respected. We usually benefit when we make positive changes in our lives. However, others can also benefit from good changes that we make. Some changes may lead to material benefits, like making more money for the family, or social benefits, or like making more friends. In general, though, we all seek to be more “healthy, wealthy and wise,” right?

Good mental, physical or spiritual health is priceless. When I was growing up, my family was close to being materially poor, but my mom always told me that we were truly “wealthy in spirit.” She was right about that.   At any rate, as we seek to change our lives “for the better,” my mind turns to the tools that we utilize in order to effect meaningful change in our lives.

We use books written by Christian leaders that give us “ten rules” to help us to change or to become successful. These books are helpful and employ scripture as the basis of their “ten rules.” We may attend seminars or conferences and hear great speakers share testimonies and tips on how we can become more Christ-like. We take good notes and re-read their inspiring words. Books and conferences are wonderful tools to spur us on to make lasting change.  However, there is something much more powerful and lasting than anything else: Reading and studying God’s Word.

Years ago in my daily Bible reading, I came across Psalm 19. That day this passage shook me like a powerful earthquake! I had known that the Word of God is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), but I hadn’t realized what an impact it had on me over the years. I had developed a discipline to read through the Bible every year, no matter what separate Bible study I was doing. It was a spiritual discipline that I needed to foster. Over time, I have been changed. Reading the Bible positively affects the reader and can lead to spiritual growth that affects every area of one’s life. “In the beginning was The Word and The Word was God” (John 1:1). God is The Word. Taking it in is taking in more of God.

So, meditate on it, pray it, memorize it, study it, read it, discuss it, write it and speak it. It will make one “healthy, wealthy and wise.” It will give the one who reads it the kind of wealth that money cannot buy.  It will increase one’s faith and encourage one’s heart.  It presents a real look at life—the good, the bad and the ugly—through its historical accounts and teachings. It contains the best “soap operas” and scandals that reveal the truth of man’s lot in this fallen world! As a wife, mother, physician and musician, the Word of God has been a priceless source of wisdom, peace, joy and strength! It has drawn me closer to my Savior.

On our upcoming album, I have written a song from Psalm 19 about being changed. Become a student of The Word. I’ve been changed by it. I am still changing because of it—for the better.