For many, New Year's Day is centered around watching football, talking about resolutions and generally just having a down day before starting back to work again. I am not much different. I enjoyed watching the football games, eating junk food and just having a low-key day with Terri. New Year's Day is also a day of TV marathons. One of my favorites was on Syfy network and it was the "Twilight Zone" marathon. I watch them about every year hoping to catch one that I had not seen and this year was no different.
One episode that intrigued me this year was titled, "Number 12 Looks Just Like You". The premise of the show was at age 18, it was time for each person to go through the transformation process. There were several models from which to choose. However, like many options, there were always the favorite ones. In this instance, numbers eight and twelve. The main subject was being forced to choose who she wanted to be transformed into. She was trying to resist saying that she like her plain self and didn't need to look like everyone else. Eventually, she thinks she is escaping, but walks right into the room where they transform people. I know, it is kind of weird, but you would have to see the show.
In this episode of the "Twilight Zone", I really only saw two different "models" of women and men. I do not know if that was Rod Serling's intent, but it made me think. In our world, there are two people we will look like; the world or Christ. There are only two options. As Christians, we only have one option. When people look at us they should say, "You Look Just Like Jesus". We know that was the original plan when we were created (see Genesis), to be made in the image of God. Then sin happened. Sin distorted our image to where we needed someone to take us through the transformation process so that we no longer look like the world, but like Christ. It is a choice we have to make and at no time will we ever be tricked into accepting the transformation.
You see, we all have a job to do. In Matthew 28:18-20, we have been given a directive from Jesus Himself to "Go and make disciples..." What this passage is talking about is us being so in tune to Christ, the Rabbi, that we have sold out to everything to become like Him. If you have sold out for Him, then what you see Jesus saying is to "Go, replicate yourself in My image." Or maybe better put, "Live in such a way that others see Christ in you." This may seem a little weird or odd, but I hope you take your Bible and study that text and see what you can learn. Don't read it like you have before, read it like you have never seen it. This passage is calling each and every one who calls themselves a Christian to be like Christ; to be missional; to go outside of your comfort zone for the sake of those who do not know Christ. Are you willing to make this new year the year of your transformation?
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