Transforming Lives…That’s the Point

In the last few days I have been impacted by the idea of working toward transformed lives as the end of our work at Buckner. This idea has come up in several conversations recently.

On our last day in Palestine, Dr. Ken Hall (click here to read his blog) presented a devotional thought focused on Hebrews 11. He pointed those who had made the Hall of Faith and commented on the absence of Daniel in that list. He pointed to the fact that when the list was made there was no reference to buildings, memorials, or permanent fixtures that point to artifacts of faith. You only find a listing of normal, regular people whose lives were changed because of their faith in God. He closed his devotional presentation with the idea that our work is about changed lives, not anything else.

Then this week I visited with Bobby Dagnel, pastor of First Baptist Church during lunch and he brought up, almost as an aside to the conversation, that his focus is on lives that are changed and transformed.

For the second time in a few weeks that theme popped up in daily conversations. This idea resonates with me. I think of Paul saying that he was not ashamed of the power of the gospel to change lives.

This week I presented a few comments a reception held in Lubbock to celebrate My Father’s House Lubbock and Buckner Children’s Home as well as our Foster Care Program into one web of resources for children and families in West Texas. We introduced Dr. Jon Hogg as the new Director Team Leader for Lubbock and the West Texas Area. The focus of my comments was aimed at the potential for life transformation for children and mothers with children through these ministries.

It is about changed lives. That is the point of our work. Our struggle is related to how best to use our resources to impact as many lives as possible through our ministries both in the USA and around the world.

So where are the poorest of the poor? How should we manage our resources to meet their needs? On Friday I will write about reaching them.

Comments

[Tim Dahl]

At times people talk about being saved as something in the future. It seems to be a thought that solely dwells on the hereafter. However, in 1 John 4: 17 it says, "In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him."

The end section, "because in this world we are like him" is the money quote to me. Just as much as salvation is future oriented; there is also an impact for "today." The right now. As we walk with the Lord (thru the spiritual disciplines) we are being transformed into his likeness.

It seems that Transformation is the point.

Tim

[Albert Reyes]

Tim, well said. Transformation or transformation by the renewing or our minds, our lives, etc. is what we are aiming for. I wrote a few months ago about tranforming toward the Imago Dei, the image of God through Christ. If that is not what we are about, we are wasting our time.