Transformational Experiences

 

 

Richard Spangler, author, cbn.com

A God-given experience is just an encounter if we do not allow it to translate into a life-changing event. God gives us these occurrences to alter our lives. When we allow this to happen, they become transformational experiences.

In Exodus 24:9-11, the 70 elders of Israel, Aaron, Nabub, Abihu, Moses, and Joshua saw God and they ate and drank with Him. The Bible also states that God did not kill them (which is a good thing).

This was a fantastic moment for them. This experience should have been life-transforming for them. Sadly, the lives of the 70 elders, Nabub, Abihu, and not even Aaron were radically changed.

We know from reading Exodus 32:1-4, the people asked that a god of gold and a golden calf be made for them to worship. None of these men stood up to oppose the people, to keep them from sinning. The experience on Mt. Sinai was given by God to transform these men into true leaders, not just men with titles.

But before we harshly judge these men, we must remember, it is as true for us today as it was for them. God gives us potentially transformational experiences and we, at times, do not allow them to transform us.

We walk away, come from the mountain as it were, thinking that was a great revelation and immediately start thinking, ”What’s for lunch?” or, “What’s so and so doing after church?”

Some Christians become experience junkies. These are people who move from one God event to the next, always looking for bigger and better happenings. They get that first rush or the high of the experience, but they soon crash, having no real satisfaction.

They do not allow these God experiences to transform them into the Lord’s image. They do not allow themselves to be transformed — to be drawn closer to the Lord and to do the work of the ministry that they have been called to do. This is where we all find true satisfaction in the Lord.

We all need to allow these encounters to transform us. We do this by asking the Lord, “What is the specific purpose for us having the experience?” Then, we need to meditate on that purpose. Finally, we must ask the Lord to help us and allow the transformation to take place in our lives.

The Lord Jesus has chosen each of us to be His people and He wants to transform us into a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation, that will transform the world in His name.