My Spiritual Journey and Transformation

Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Thanks Havefaith for quoting such powerful passage. That's the key guideline for living and fulfilling God's commands. By the way, where are you and how are you doing?


Another part that I'm hoping to be transformed more is in the trait of humility and how I speak. I'm reading a book called,
"30 Days To Taming Your Tongue" by Deborah Smith Peques


This strikes me:


"Boasting Tongue"

Boasting implies that your good fortune is a result of your own efforts. Have you forgotten that everything you have came from God? King Nebuchadnezzar did. One day, as he was strolling on the roof of his palace, he had a conversation with himself that would change the rest of his life. As he looked out across the city, he said, “Just look at this great city of Babylon! I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as an expression of my royal splendor” (DANIEL 4:30 NLT). Scripture tells us that God interrupted Nebuchadnezzar’s proud moment and declared to him that he would lose his kingdom immediately! He was driven from the palace and forced to live as a common derelict. His hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. He even became mentally ill.

It was not until he acknowledged God as the ruler over everything that God gave him back his sanity and restored his kingdom.

Hear his testimony:

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (DANIEL 4:34-35). We must learn to consciously take the backseat when pride screams for the front row. Study the fate of proud men in the Bible."

Havefaith, yes, traveling could be challenging and exhausting, but educational...I am looking forward to hear from you what you are learning from that trip. Enjoy!

"Feels Like Moses" (on the other side of the spectrum)


I am used to being used mightily where I excel in my skills. But I am about to start a different path in my next assignment where I am naturally weak at. So this is both a humbling experience and a testing of my faith.


In the list below, my natural traits are on the left while on the right side are the traits I need to acquire and develop :


Outspoken VS Soft spoken

Active talker vs Active listener

Aggressive vs Mild-mannered

Assertive vs Meek

Non-conformist vs conforming to someone else's "personal brand"


So just like Moses who originally felt not suitable or capable for the role he was assigned to, but nonetheless, followed his calling and succeeded. In the same way, my HP is equipping me for this new, challenging role. "For in my weakness, he is strong."

You have been self-actualizing for a long time Co. For those who don't know Maslow this means reaching your full potential. I so admire this in you. When you strengthen your weaknesses your self-eteem sky rockets. And you have more to offer others.

Sometimes self-actualizing means changing our shortcomings. For me lately it has been accepting them. I have always hated my angry outer child [Susan Anderson's term]. In reading the story of Jung I have discovered that he too had a temper and two personalities he called No. 1 and No. 2. So now I am going to call my outer child my temperament rather than a character defect. David Richo always said, "Befriend your shadow."

Keep sharing your faith Co. And don't forget it is progress not perfection. I have absolute faith in your abilities to grow into this new job.

leahb, "softer" of course for me. I prefer to use the term "meekness" --power under control.

That's a good idea. It just happened that I am not that into labeling a certain trait or energy as more "feminine" or "masculine". Since I was a little girl, I had been playing sports around the neighborhood and been effortlessly blending in as "one of the guys". (Girls, then, were playing dolls and kitchen stuff. While during high school, many had begun dating and got into early pregnancy. Hmmm. I'm glad to have chosen a different path.) Even in choosing sports shoes or sportswear, I often ended up in men's section. Then the salesmen would usually point out that it's for men and the other section is for ladies. I'd respond, "It does not really matter. It won't transform me into a man, right? I buy what I like and is comfortable for my size. If it happens to be men's so be it. Thank you."


What my real concern is if I am doing it right based on my HP's standard. I am what I am and grateful for that. But I am still a work in progress. This is the journey of my spiritual life: being changed from glory to glory. Thank you.


Susan Peabody, the more I got to know my God and his abounding grace, the more I become truly aware of my need for his transforming, rescuing and redeeming grace day in and day out. He is the Vine and his people are the branches. He continually prunes us to make us more fruitful. So this so-called "self-actualization" will go on and on until the day I meet my Lord and Savior face to face.


What actually brought me into this stage of my spiritual journey are the recent shocking tragedies: sexual assault and suicide attempt of certain people close to me. I was devastated. That time I was contemplating of committing suicide in a few months' time (if nothing good happens.) Then, I heard a preaching about the real purpose of life and where to put our hope and that God is the real hope. It pointed to me how much I needed my God, my HP. That my self-sufficiency is not enough; I need his eternal grace more and more. It redirected me to this spiritual path. So this stage is like my "second chance at life".


There's a lot more to be revealed...


(Side-note: "Unbroken" is a true story based on the life of a Christian pastor/missionary.)