What Does Your Nature Demand?

Centuries ago an Italian duke was strolling through his rose garden. A rustle amid the roses disturbed his reverie. Turning aside he discovered a young man cutting roses and gently placing them in a lavish ornamental box. Harshly he demanded as to what the young man was doing. In calm tones the young man explained he was cutting the roses for the duke’s palace. Observing the ornate box the gruff voice of the duke demanded why such an ornate box should be used for such a menial task. Respectfully the young man explained he made the box for such a purpose. Curtly the duke probed, “You made that box for this purpose with all those intricate carvings, unique designs, and all the finite fittings for such a menial task as this? Does such a task demand such craftsmanship?” “No,” said he, “but my spirit does.” Irately the duke responded, “Your spirit does. What is your name — you shall be flogged for such impudence!” “My name, sir,” came the courteous craftsman, “is Michelangelo.”

Like Michelangelo most of us do what our spirit demands. The problem arises out of our spirit’s being so poorly programmed. Many persons have a menial, morbid, or mundanely programmed spirit.

The good news is you can change, and change — and change for the better. Change is not likely to occur until there becomes a wholesome discontent with the status quo. Desire for change must always be preceded by change.

Do a little internal engineering. First, evaluate what about your nature you would like to change. Next, ask yourself if you really want to change. Follow this by asking yourself what you are willing to do to achieve that change. Be specific.

Appoint a time, perhaps presently, when you are willing to begin the transformation. 

If it is a worthy change, commit yourself to the Lord to make the change and ask His help in doing so. If it is worthy of your effort to make it, it is worth asking the Lord’s help in making it.

Only when you are turned inside out can you turn your world upside down. It is an inside job. You can’t successfully make a lifestyle change without first having a change of heart. God can inwardly transform us, empower, and renew us.

Romans 12: 1, 2 is often considered regarding salvation, and appropriately so, but it also has application regarding a believer’s spiritual renewal.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Do it so God can inwardly transform, empower, and renew you.