Transformation

This location along the Coulee Walls near Banks Lake, Washington, is a springtime waterfall. But during the winter months, the water seeps through the wall, forming long icicles.

I intended to photograph the icicles, but discovered these icy stalagmite formations at the base of the falls.

I noticed the intricate “ice cones” creating the growing mound of ice. The site was stunning!

And a dynamic example of TRANSFORMATION – water crystallizing into brilliant formations of ice.

As Roxanne and I begin 2026, the Spirit is giving us the heads up: “This is your year of transformation in epic proportions.”

Our 2026 resolution is, “YES, JESUS! Bring it on!”

I relish the idea of being continually transformed into Jesus’ image  – the process, though sometimes challenging, is bathed in His glorious LOVE! The more I know (experience) WHO I am in Jesus and WHO He is in me, the more I welcome and invite His process of transformation!

Here is a critical truth that has revolutionized my perspective of Father’s transformative work in me:

“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” ~ Philippians 2:13

The LORD DELIGHTS to work in me? Yes! It is His GOOD PLEASURE! It literally means that I am His KINDLY INTENT! I am His DESIRE, PLEASURE, and SATISFACTION! To work in me means that God operates His divine power in me and displays His activity to me. And He absolutely LOVES it!

I took my young grandsons on a short hike where we discovered some deer tracks. Our adventure began! I began teaching them about animal tracks and how to determine which direction the deer were walking, identifying a buck or a doe, large or small, and whether the tracks were fresh or old. It so happened that the tracks were fresh, and we continued to follow them. The excitement in the boys’ eyes brought such delight as they moved forward searching for the next fresh track. Shortly, one of them yelled out, “Look! We found him! There he is!” Sure enough, lying in the sun about 50 yards from us was the buck we had been tracking!

The GOOD PLEASURE I felt toward my grandsons as I journeyed with them on the short adventure pales in comparison to the exceeding JOY our Heavenly Father has in His journey with us through life! He guides, coaches, and walks beside us – He works in us, with us, for us.

Have you ever considered what a JOY you are to the Father? Have you felt His smile toward you as you are busy with your day? Have you acknowledged His DELIGHT in walking with you on your adventure?

I once viewed myself through a toxic lie, and thankfully, that perspective is disappearing forever:

“I am a real piece of work. The Lord must dread every time my name comes up. I doubt the Father’s love for me. He only loves Jesus, and because of Jesus’ mediation in my life, God has to put up with me. Sorry, God, that I’m such an inconvenience.”

God was at work in me, but I questioned His intention and motivation. I had disqualified myself from His generous goodness because I couldn’t believe I was lovable, notwithstanding, delightful to Him. I hung my head and dared not look into His face for fear of His displeasure.

If your self-talk is such, it’s a lie.

In Jesus, our transformation occurs in the context of being BLESSED with EVERY spiritual BLESSING in heavenly places. He provides it freely and abundantly, without regret or reservation – and it’s His GOOD PLEASURE!

“… Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” ~ Ephesians 1:3-6

It is His delight for you to take part in His kingdom, His household, His family.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” ~ Luke 12:32

“Thank you, Father, for your GOOD PLEASURE to give me your kingdom. To accept me into your family. To include me in your affairs. To trust me with your assignments.”

My dear friend, abide in His presence. Behold the glory of Jesus. Accept His smile and generous attitude toward you. Trust and let Him TRANSFORM you into the likeness of your sibling, Jesus.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

The water was transformed into a beautiful ice formation. The water was not replaced; it was transformed. God doesn’t want to replace you. He wants to transform you. Through Jesus, you have been made righteous. The Father LOVES YOU. Did you read that? He loves YOU – the same way He loves His Son (John 17:23). And His work in you is His DELIGHT!

Can you embrace that truth? If so, you are on your way to an unprecedented 2026!