Be Transfigured

My wife and I went on our first date in January of 1996. Culture sure has changed a lot since my mom drove us to see Grumpier Old Men at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. Nervous and armed with only a learners permit, mom was the necessary but appreciated third wheel. Culture sure has changed since then, indeed. Perhaps in some ways our culture has changed for the better, and arguably in countless ways it's changed for the worse.

One thing I am personally glad to see an end to...Glamour Shots. Amber, like a lot of girls at the time, rushed to the franchise store to be transformed and to have her photo taken. When Amber showed me the photos from a Glamour Shots shoot taken on her birthday a few years prior to our first date, I remember thinking how over the top the wardrobes were, but how grown up and beautiful she looked. Sporting big hair, makeup, and a denim studded jacket she tugged on at the collar, she looked like an 80's movie star.

Glamour Shots opened its first store in 1988 in Dallas. The craze quickly grew and even celebrities like Tonya Harding where paying $200-$300 to be transformed into someone more "glamorous." Clients often kept on their own clothes from the waist down, but in the area visible to the camera, they were someone different entirely.

When I joined a men's group a few years ago, I joined for the same reason thousands flocked to Glamour Shots in the 80's and 90's, I wanted to be transformed. I wanted to look different. I wanted to be different. I wanted others to see a marked change in me. At the beginning of the almost three year journey, the material asked us if we truly wanted to lead "an exchanged life." I did. I still do. I wanted to lead a life different than I had in the past. I wanted to grow spiritually. I wanted to mature into a high impact man (A HIM), whose family and friends were better for having me in their lives. I wanted to be like David, a "man after God's own heart." I wanted my selfish desires to give way to service. In short, I wanted to be transfigured.

"Transfigured" is an interesting word, meaning "a change in appearance, or an exalting, glorifying, and spiritual change." The Greek word "metamorpho" is a verb that means to "change into another form" or "to change the outside to match the inside." That's what I sought. That is what I still strive for daily. Admittedly, I fall short daily as well.

In the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36), we learn of many miracles performed by Jesus. Many happened because of Him, one that comes to mind, happened to Him however. He was transfigured. On a mountain top with Peter, James, and John, the group see Moses and Elijah appear, then they hear the voice of God tell them the following about Jesus, "this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him." We learn that Jesus was transfigured before them; "his face shining as the sun, and his garments became white as the light." Can you imagine how beautiful the words of God must have sounded? Can you fathom the amazingness of Jesus' appearance?

As I said earlier, I made a commitment a few years ago to lead an exchanged life, to be different, to be transformed. As I admitted earlier however, I fall short daily. At a recent party with Amber and a few friends, adult beverages were being consumed, and the language and the course of the conversation changed. It was different than the dialogue and tone used in my men's group. Lips were loose and language wasn't watched. It certainly wasn't the atmosphere that was pleasing to God. I may have felt and professed to be different that day. I would have claimed to be transformed from the old Adam, but in those moments, it certainly would have been a surprise to onlookers and those within earshot. Guilt followed that evening, knowing that although I remained a "beloved son of God," He certainly wouldn't say He was "well pleased with me," or that anyone should listen to what I have to say.

That evening bothered me, and giving myself some credit, there is something to be said about that, I suppose. To be clear, I'm not trying to be perfect, or suggest you attempt the same. None of us will ever lead a perfect life. None of us will finish our lives without sin, we simply aren't capable of it. However, we can focus on being different, on being better, on leading a life pleasing to God and doing so consistently. If you don't like the person you are today, change. If you truly seek God's forgiveness and grace, just ask Him. If you want others to see Jesus in you and through you...Be transfigured.

Much Love, Adam

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