Be Conformed

Recently, I was stopped at an intersection and noticed an older couple walking together. They were crossing the street to their car and, since I was stuck waiting, I watched them cross the street. At first I was a bit annoyed at their slowness (how dare they inconvenience me…Lord forgive me), but then I noticed their gait as they walked; it was identical! Both were a bit pigeon-toed, with the distance between their feet much larger than the distance between their knees, kind of like an upside down V. My annoyance quickly turned to a feeling of happiness and a sweet feeling of adoration for this couple. They have spent so many years together, that not only were they walking in step with each other, but their gait was exactly the same. As I sat there watching them, amazed at how two people can become so much alike after a lifetime together, my thoughts turned to my relationship with the Lord and this verse in Romans:

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Rom. 8.29

“Conformed to the image of His Son.” How does that happen?

Looking back at this couple, the answer is clear. It comes from spending a lifetime together; a lifetime of talking, walking, and sharing with each other. A lifetime of trials and victories. All of these lead to an understanding of each other and a like-mindedness. If you’ve been married or in a relationship for any amount of time, you know what I mean. Think back to the day you met your spouse. Are you the same person you were then? I doubt it. There are probably things you like to do now that you didn’t like to do then. Why is that? Because your spouse likes to do that “thing,” and you have come to like it because you have spent time doing it with them.

It’s the same with our relationship with the Lord. We spend time with Him, we talk with Him, we share with Him; He is there through our trials and victories. As our relationship with Him grows, we become more like Him, more conformed to His image.

The key is to spend time with Him.

I look forward to the day when someone notices that my husband and I walk in step with each other, with the same gait.

I pray that they also notice that as I’ve grown older, I have become more “conformed to the image of His Son.”

Blessings!
May “The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.” Num. 6.24-26