Glorious Transformation

The March calendar photo perfectly illustrates this. On March 13, 2025, between approximately 11:00 PM and 11:55 PM, I watched in awe as the moon shifted from a white crescent into a full red sphere of brilliance.

Observing the stages of the lunar eclipse with the naked eye was spectacular on its own, but viewing it through my 1120mm lens took the experience to a whole new level!

Natural transformations like the lunar eclipse capture our attention. Humankind has always had an innate fascination with it. I have photographed many natural transformations.

One memorable occasion was while photographing Old Faithful, the famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park. A large crowd gathered to witness the superheated water and steam erupt up to 180 feet into the sky. The eruption of Old Faithful was instantly matched by the crowd’s eruption of clapping and cheers! Similarly, I have photographed sunsets accompanied by the applause and cheers of onlookers as the sun dipped below the horizon, transitioning the day into night in a spectacle of brilliant colors.

Jesus created the earth to transform – it is evident in every facet of nature. We, too, are created for transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Here’s how.

The Father chose us to be in Jesus from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Before the foundation of the world takes us back to Genesis. God designed humankind in His image – in the very likeness of Jesus. Humans were given dominion over the earth and blessed to be fruitful, fill it with the glory of God, and rule over it. Creation was GOOD – ALL OF IT.

Sin introduced evil, and with it, human authority over the earth was surrendered to Satan, making humankind his slaves. Without Jesus, it was no longer possible to reflect God’s likeness.

This is why God had already chosen us to be in Jesus from before the foundation of the world. The solution to our salvation existed before the problem arose. Jesus became fully human so we could be “recreated” (2 Corinthians 5:17) in His image, as originally designed in Genesis.

Our first transformation in Jesus begins when He delivers us from the power of darkness and transfers us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14). No longer subjects of Satan’s kingdom, we are now citizens of God’s kingdom. In Jesus, our relationship with the Father is restored, and we regain our authority to once again have dominion over the earth. The Holy Spirit empowers and equips us to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with His glory.

God determined before you were even born that you would be fashioned into the likeness of Jesus.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:28-29)

Genesis describes God’s creation as GOOD. In the same way, you are recreated in Jesus as the Called. Everything about your life in Him is GOOD – just as in Genesis. And the good is defined in the transformation to Jesus’ likeness!

“Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

The Spirit of God is transforming you, and it is a GLORIOUS process!

The first three chapters of Ephesians teach us everything we are and have in Jesus. He gives us our identity and describes our spiritual genetics. It’s essential that we know and trust the truth about our origin in Jesus. Growth occurs in the knowledge and experience of our identity as we apply it. First, we inherit the likeness of Jesus, and then transformation becomes the process of intentionally living it out.

After Paul lays the foundation of our identity outlined in Ephesians 1-3, he continues with how we begin to transform:

Chapter 4 begins:

“…walk worthy of the calling with which you are called.”

Your lifestyle reflects WHO you are in Jesus.

Chapter 5 instructs:

“Be imitators of God the Father as dear children.”

Follow God’s example as demonstrated in Jesus.

Transformation is a process. Philippians 1:6 encourages us:

“… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a GOOD WORK in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…”

What work? The process of becoming like Jesus. Paul describes faith as a journey, progressive and full of joy (Philippians 1:25).

I was shooting hoops with my 10-year-old grandson. He recently discovered a love for the game. After missing a few shots, he grew frustrated, expressing his deficiency with a defeated attitude. I paused and asked him, “If you planted carrot seeds in your garden today, could you eat them tomorrow?” Growing carrots is a process. Transformation takes time, and every stage is essential to maturity. My grandson understood the point.

At times, I have reflected on my past with regret, thinking, “I was such a baby.” And honestly, I was. Even still, there are moments when I feel frustrated that I’m not more than I am. We can beat ourselves into defeated attitudes. But then the Holy Spirit reminds me WHO I am in Him and the transformation He is working in me. We often fail to recognize the value of our spiritual transformation, expecting instant mastery.

I encouraged my grandson to relax and enjoy the play.

“Over time, your body will grow, your coordination will improve, and your skills will develop. With practice and experience, you will transform your game.”

Let this be your March encouragement: Your transformation into the likeness of Jesus is nothing short of glorious.

Be patient with yourself as Father is patient with you. And don’t put off faithful practice and exercise of your identity as you grow into Jesus’ likeness.

Just as I found utter elation watching the moon shift through a lunar eclipse, so our Heavenly Father finds your transformation into the likeness of His Son, epic!

The LORD your God in your midst, [He lives INSIDE of you]

The Mighty One [Jesus], will save; [rescue, deliver, restore, and heal – transformation]

He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

The stages can be observed as the moon passes through Earth’s shadow. In my photos, you can see the penumbra (partial shadow) stages gradually transitioning to the umbra stage (full shadow). Totality is when the moon is completely within the umbra. The Moon turns red because Earth’s atmosphere filters out blue light and bends red light onto the Moon, similar to the colors of a sunrise or sunset.