So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 4:24-25

My favorite T-shirt says on the front, "I'M NOT THE MAN I OUGHT TO BE," and on the back, "BUT THANK GOD I'M NOT THE MAN I USED TO BE."

Can we not all say AMEN to that?

We have made a mess of our lives. Pride and stubbornness have been our undoing. We've rebelled against God's ways and we are suffering the consequences of our folly. Sin has bound us and imprisoned us. It has sapped all the joy out of living. Broken relationship and broken hearts and broken lives are left in the wake.

Jesus' desire is to fix all those whose lives have been wrecked by sin. He offers the water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, and light to those in darkness. He is the shepherd looking for the lost sheep. He is the life-giving vine. He is the head from which the whole body is nourished. He is the foundation of the house.

And he has begun a work in us that is ongoing. We're tired and frustrated because the transformation does not take place quicker. Sin has deep roots in our hearts. But with Jesus' help we can restore the marred image of our Creator. He can transform our inner man so that his love takes full control.

But this transformation can only take place when we pursue our Lord and learn of him. Don't view Bible study as another thing to check off of your to-do list for today. Look at it as the way you can tap into the life-giving power of the Spirit (Ephesians 3:14-19).

Thank you, Father, that by your grace we are not what we used to be! Help us to continue the transformation to become what we ought to be!