Changes in Appearance

Have you ever noticed how growing children sometimes seem to change almost overnight? What may seem like in only a few days, their appearance can be drastically altered. This has happened recently with two particular children that I know. One is Journey, a baby who is one-year-old. His parents posted a picture of little Journey on Facebook and I had to do a double take to be sure that that was the same little boy I had seen several weeks earlier. A few days later I saw them in person and made a pointed effort to look directly in his little face to be sure that it had not only been camera angles that were responsible for the difference. Sure enough, the little boy sitting before me had lost some of that baby face and picked up more of his little boy face. The change was so drastic that had I not known him before, but merely seen a picture of him, I would’ve been likely to believe the two faces belonged to brothers, or even cousins, rather than being the same child.

That same week, we were doing some work in the backyard when the little girl next-door came outside. I had just seen her about a week earlier, yet that day the young woman who came near our fence had a new air about her. Again there had been a change from a little girl, to the face of one who was growing into a new phase of life. This change was not nearly as drastic as with little Journey, but there was to a definite shift nonetheless.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross, the Bible says that we are born again. (See John 3:1-21) We start out as spiritual babies. The Apostle Peter tells us, “Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:2-3 AMP) As we receive the nutrition that comes from the word of God and the basics of our faith, we will automatically grow and develop just like babies do. All we must do is continue to eat the good spiritual food contained in the Word of God and growth happens.

As we continue to grow in the Word of God and begin to exhibit the effects of that growth, people will begin to see changes in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit will develop and our desires will change. “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].” Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) What is changing on the inside will begin to show more and more in every area of our lives.

Often, these changes are not readily visible as they occur. As others look at us and even as we look at ourselves, we see only minor changes. Growth is happening at these times, even if we are not aware of it. Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a farmer sowing seed. “And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how. The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” (Mark 4:26-28 AMP) This is also how growth occurs in the life of a believer. Much is unseen as it occurs.

Then suddenly, we will find ourselves in circumstances and react in an entirely new manner. The tendencies and attitudes that once were so much a part of our entire being have now been replaced with actions and attitudes that are in line with the leading of the Holy Spirit. Time spent with God, studying his word, has had its effect on us and we reap the benefits. “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” (Romans 12:2 AMP) We had been transformed. It truly has been a remarkable change.
As we encounter everyday life and it seems as though growth is slow, we can remember that little Journey has been growing all along. It is only now that that change seems so dramatic. The young lady next door has also been maturing over a period of time. I simply had a glimpse of the new young lady in that particular moment of time. We cannot be discouraged because all progress moves us toward the image of Jesus Christ. We are continually changing. “And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP) It may seem most dramatic as we move from the one degree of glory to another.

So take heart and continue feeding on the health giving word of God. Change and growth are happening every day and suddenly, you will wonder, “When did I begin looking like this?”