Love to Eat, Hate to Eat: Chapter 2

The Change God Desires In You...

Have you ever wondered if God really cares how much you weigh or how you look?

Fitzgerland reminds us that the only way for us to truly know God's thoughts are on this topic is to look into Scripture. The Bible is the only standard that we can use to know who God is and what he wants from us...

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitale for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God wants to change us. He wants to accomplish change in us that is something much more meaningful, penetrating and permanent than shrinking a few dress sizes. He wants to change our hearts so that we will become more and more like Jesus. Paul says this...

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren." Romans 8:28-29

Let's look at this part of the passage,

"He causes all things to work together for good"...

God is causing everything that happens to you to work toward the goal He has in mind for you. His goal for you is to be conformed to the image of His Son. He wants you to be like Jesus Christ. All of your struggles are simply tools in the master's hands, which he uses to shape and mold you. While it's hard to go through struggles and trials, He is slowly changing you into a beautiful reflection of Himself through all of those experiences. He wants you to be a mirror that reflects the beauty of Jesus. The change God desires is initially inward, coming from your heart.

Every day we are in a battle of faith and unbelief. Looking at our own lives, we often wonder if we will ever change to His image. How could a sinner like me ever be made into the likeness of Christ? Even though our experiences of sin and failure lead us to disbelief, we have His Word. We can have confidence in His promises and we can trust His word.

Good things are those which cause us to become conformed to the image of The Son. Anything that causes us to become more like Him is good. Don't settle for temporary outward change because God has eternal change in mind for you.

The more like Jesus we become, the more we glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. We can't enjoy the presence of God if our lives are filled with anxiety, fear or self indulgence.

Put your whole trust in Him. Trust means more than just believing. It means that you put your confidence in Him; you rely completely on Him. We can trust God because of His attributes and character. God is eternal; he has no beginning or end; He fills all time. God fills all space; you will never be somewhere that you are outside the reach of His power and presence. God is holy; He has perfect freedom from evil and also absolute moral perfection. God is perfect in wisdom and knowledge; He knows best in every circumstance. God alone is the fountain of true joy and goodness.

Every good and perfect thing comes from Him, including eternal happiness. It is because God is good that He knows our happiness will only come from making him the center of our lives. God is good and he wants more for us than temporal happiness, He wants eternal riches. God is working toward the ultimate goal of changing you to be like Him so that He can be glorified, and to make you fit for Heaven.

If you put your whole trust in God, he can grow and change you into a beautiful reflection of His glory. Rest in Him, believe what He says and follow his direction in every area of your life.

Our primary focus then is inward, not outward. God is interested in changing you first from the inside. You please your Heavenly Father when your heart trusts, finds rest and fully rejoices in His love.

Love to Eat, Hate to Eat

Elyse Fitzgerald

Copyright 1999