Transformation

Martin Falls is a stunning sight to behold! Plunging over 400 feet from the top of the coulee walls, it is a “don’t miss it” springtime event. The volume of flow varies from year to year, determined by the spring melt. Since living here, the spring of 2025 was unprecedented.

While Martin Falls is the most famous, other waterfalls cascade along the 26-mile coulee walls at Banks Lake in Grant County, Washington, during this season. In the video at the bottom of this page, I captured a very large waterfall south of the Martin Falls location.

What’s fascinating about the coulee walls along this route is how this bulwark of stone frames Banks Lake quietly, confidently, and securely. Massive layers of basalt and granite rise over 900 feet as an unassuming constant—ever-present, steady, and seemingly unchanged. We view them daily, and for most of the year, the walls stand in stillness, easily taken for granted in their familiarity. But during the spring melt, they come alive. Snowmelt spills from hidden seams and ledges, sending ribbons of water cascading down the dark rock faces, transforming the coulee from a silent guardian into a living, breathing part of the landscape.

The transformation can happen quickly. I photographed this climber at Martin Falls just nine days earlier, when the coulee walls were in their deep-freeze slumber.

These photos capture the peak of the seasonal transformation along the walls, and it’s captivating. And if you were to watch me with my camera, this is what you might see: Jeff standing, mouth agape. Jeff, glancing around, hoping others are witnessing the spectacle he is beholding. Jeff, trembling with excitement, attempting to set up the tripod hurriedly—as if the moment might pass before it could be captured. Jeff, peering through the camera viewfinder with a smile stretching from ear to ear. Then you might hear a whispered, “Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me here to experience this! AMAZING! You are AMAZING!”

Similarly, I believe the Heavenly Father is delightfully captivated by our transformation into the image of His Son, Jesus.

Look. A person’s first transformation into His family is described in Luke 15:7, when Jesus explained, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents…”

The transformation process you will experience throughout your life is predicated on PURE JOY!

As I pointed out in January’s inspiration, it is God who works in us, and it is His GOOD PLEASURE (Philippians 2:13)!

We are created (a new creation) in Jesus for transformation. Not only are we transformed from darkness to light through Jesus (Colossians 1:13), but our minds are being transformed by His skillful and faithful renovations through the work of His indwelling Spirit. And our final glorious transformation awaits at Jesus’ second coming, when our corruptible body is changed into an incorruptible one (1 Corinthians 15:53).

Just as the cliffs experience beautiful transformations along their walls each season, so we are designed by Jesus for transformation into His likeness. While we all have experienced hindrances to our transformation, the natural law of life in the Kingdom, with God’s family genes, is transformative growth and maturity into His Son, Jesus.

In the natural world, a newborn is created to grow. He has inherited this directive in his DNA. With nourishment, care, and practice (use) of body assets, the baby will transform from growth stage to growth stage as designed.

As children of God, our transformation is the same: nourished with the Word, nurtured in intimacy, and exercising (using) our super(natural) powers, we transform from one stage of glory to another into Jesus’ likeness (Hebrews 5:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

It is a process that transpires naturally by His Spirit working in us. We contribute through our cooperation (faith) with Jesus—just as, in the natural world, a child cooperates with his parents as he learns obedience within the relationship. Children can’t force themselves into adulthood.

Teeth clenching and boot strap pulling only takes transformation so far. Jesus did the heavy lifting so we can transform naturally into His likeness through our union with Him. The process of relational living and the trust that is built through it causes transformative growth naturally and often unconsciously.

Jesus’ words in February’s page of the calendar: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…” (Matthew 25:34).

Jesus is describing you as a person who is celebrated with the praises of the Heavenly Father (“blessed of My Father”). When you are IN JESUS, this is His description of you.

And it has been done. You have already inherited the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. In fact, you were chosen to be in Jesus before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). His kingdom, your identity, and your transformation in Christ remain now and forever—and it is according to His GOOD PLEASURE.

Transformation is worth delighting in.

How will you join the Father in reveling in yours? This month, ask the Father to highlight one area of transformation that is taking place in your life right now. Put the transformation into words so you can explain and describe it clearly. How are you becoming more like Jesus in February? And if you can’t put words to it right now, that’s ok. Trust His transformative power at work in you and rejoice in Him. Celebrate—a fancy meal, a walk to your favorite viewpoint, or a quiet moment of reflection. Affirm your acceptance and gratitude of His work in you.

Guaranteed, your transformation is bringing a smile to His face, from ear to ear!

South of Martin Falls, this unnamed waterfall cascaded with equal magnificence. It carried silt into the lake, swirling with water and ice to form a beautiful pattern—best appreciated from a 400-foot, top-down view.