I am like an onion that is getting its layers peeled back. The outer peel is what we wear, music and places we like. It doesn’t matter. The next layer is a little more important where we grew up, what our childhood was like, our personality type. The third layer is our relationships, what we believe about the world, what it means to be human. When we peel to t h e very core, w e find we are united to Jesus. We tend to work from the outside in and He works from the inside out. The deepest part of who we are is the core. The very core of a Christian is one with Jesus.

 

I want to become like Jesus. My problem is I want it to be instant. However I know I need patience, something I need to work on to transform and it’s an ongoing process. I need to give myself time to be renewed. The Holy Spirit tends to show me where I need work. It’s like peeling an onion. God reveals the layers bit by bit. God starts at the core (the Heart) and works outward. The root must be dealt with first. If it’s not, the real problem will remain. We can’t get in a hurry. I call this preaching to the choir. I need to slow down and allow God to revamp me. I must be patient with myself, and change will come. Just enjoy my relationship as it grows with my Heavenly Father. Transformation takes time. Just like an onion that has multiple layers to be peeled to reach the core, our emotional pain can also be multi-layered and complex.

 

We don’t see what God sees. We see the outer layer God sees the inner, the Heart. The core is most important. Are my thoughts, my behavior inside and out what God wants.

Am I seeking Him with all my heart? I do! As each of my layers are peeled back, I will make progress.

 

I am committed to growing closer and closer.

 

James 4:8 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”

 

By confessing our sins, practicing humility and transforming my thoughts with Scripture, I will become more like Christ.

 

  1. Gratitude- This opens our eyes to all God is doing around me. I continually give Him thanks .

 

  1. Humility- Giving up my selfish and vain desire so I can do His will.

 

  1. Study His Word- This is how I really get to know Him.

 

  1. Memorize Scripture- I admit I have a problem with this because my memory is really bad but I continue to work at this.

 

  1. Serve others- I try to do this always especially with my Therapy Dog visits. A lot of these people have no one. But the true Blessing is what they give to me. 

 

  1. Prioritize Prayer- Always in the morning and at night, but I also do during the Day.

 

  1. Die to Me- We must lay down our life and follow Him. It’s a daily death.

 

  1. Change my thoughts- Sometimes they aren’t good, and I am reminded by the Holy Spirit. He corrects me. Choose what I listen to, read and view.

 

  1. Confess and repent- Confession helps me acknowledge specific sins.

 

Repentance is me turning from those sins and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me. I do this daily.

 

  1. Love one another- Loving one another helps us become more like Jesus as l learn what true love really is.

 

The closer I come to the core the more I am able to hear God’s voice. When we resist the devil, are really sorry for our sin, and humbly draw closer to God He is always faithful to forgive and cleanse us.

 

Christine (Chris) Hoover
Latest posts by Christine (Chris) Hoover (see all)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *