Meditation on Transformation, by Jessie Proulx

When I was asked to lead a spiritual practice on transformation, I sat down with God and cycled wit Him, a way of individually connecting each part of the soul to the Trinity. Through this time a sort of poem/conversation emerged. If you're willing. I encourage you to invite God into this time.

What inspires you? What resonates? What causes you fear? What images or words or parts of your life are drawn to your attention?

This is simply a time for you and God to be actively quiet together for discovery and exploration...

Transformation does not come easily. It does not pass by unnoticed or unfelt. It does not work by ways of comfort and familiarity of whom I have been, But with dramatic change that drives towards who God has called me to become.

For only when the grape is first deconstructed can wine be produced, Only after a stone is under pressure that the diamond cam emerge, Only when an olive is pressed upon can its oil flow.

Whey then do I resist or fear, or deny being transformed? Are wine, diamonds, and oil not valuable, even preferred?

But I ask myself: If the grape could speak, would it not cry out when crushed? If the stone could feel, would it not fear the pressure place upon it? If the olive could flee, would it not run from being pressed upon?

The better question may be: Why would I not resist, or fear, or deny being transformed?

God answers: Were you not created to be more than the grape, the stone, and the olive? Were you not created with the ability to think, to connect, to choose?

But in my fear, I ask still: Why would I choose the pains of such a transformation?

And God answers: Because transformation is not arbitrary, it is acutely purposeful, and also not without reward.

True transformation, God's transformation, is an internal reshaping, a shift to better align myself with God's intended identity for me.

If transformation is a choice, It is only when I submit to the deconstruction, It is only when I trust the process of being under pressure, It is only when I embrace the pressing placed upon me, That Gd's grade-filled, loving, and righteous transformation works itself out in my soul.

So, I submit, Oh God, to the deconstruction, knowing You will rebuild me anew. I trust that the pressure I am put under will reveal my more authentic self. I embrace the press upon me, knowing that it is Your goodness that will flow from me.

Heavenly Father, reveal to me where I am being called to transform. Jesus, hold my hand and steer me back to You when my trust falters. Holy Spirit, lead me to the opportunities that allow Your good works in me.

If you have identified an area of transformation in your life and agree to it, repeat: Heavenly Father, I submit. Jesus, I trust. Holy Spirit, I embrace Your true transformation.