Changing Nouns and Making a Holy Shift
We had a plan.
We had support.
We stepped out on faith.
We changed some nouns.
We made a holy shift.
Last week, I was part of a major relocation project. One of my friends was ready to turn his life around, and to do so required a change of location. There were too many nouns (people, places, and things) that were pulling him to a life that he no longer desired.
There were months of pre-planning, a coordinated effort by several people, and several steps of faith along the way. And now, my friend is living in a new state, beginning to build his new life, connected to new people, and surrounded by a completely new set of nouns. He's looking at a new future with new hope. His life is being transformed. This is an incredible shift. And I was blessed to be a witness to this part of his journey.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
There is a lot of talk about making life changes and being transformed. What I love about this story is that my friend took the idea of transformation to the next level. And he wasn’t running away from his problems, he was running to his solutions. We now have a reference point. There is his “old” or “former” self, and there is his “new” and “current” self.
Over the past few days, we’ve spent a lot of time together. It is clear that he has adopted a new identity. He doesn’t say, “I’m trying to change.” He says, “I’m changed.” He has a purpose and a direction. He is taking one step at a time, changing his nouns, rebuilding his life, being completely transformed. Something divine is happening, and I am grateful to get a front row seat for this dynamic shift. As Rob Bell might say, this is a “holy shift.”
Numerous people came together to help make this transformation possible. This is good and this is right and this is holy. The nouns are in his favor. I pray your nouns are in your favor as well. If not, you might want to follow my friend’s lead.
Make a plan.
Get some support.
Step out on faith.
Change some nouns.
And make a holy shift.
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