The Conversion

“…for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”  Conversion is a process. It is the act of converting, often as a result of a revelation, a moment or event of sudden insight. Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus was a revelation of Christ. Paul’s process of conversion began with his study of the scripture and the law from a changed point of view made known through that revelation. Many of us experience moments or events of sudden insight that cause us to pause and change direction in our lives. However, I believe true conversion is not merely an external or physical change in direction. True conversion must also involve a change in how we think and what we believe because our thoughts guide our actions. As a Christian I have come to understand that what I believe is not based on human perception of who I am, but rather who God has called me to be. Conversion takes time. It took Paul three years of study and a lifetime of journeying. Thus, in reality, it’s a never-ending process. Throughout this journey we can’t be discouraged! We are not perfect. We make mistakes and sometimes make unhealthy decisions. God knows the heart of his own and he will never give up on us. So too, we must never give in to the mis-steps. I believe God is well pleased with us when we confess, repent and move on in Christ, because freedom through Christ is our reward. One of the most poignant movie scenes for me is from The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Morgan Freeman’s character is brought before the parole board for the last time. After 40 years of saying what he thought the parole board wanted to hear, ‘Ellis Boyd Redding’ finally reaches the manifestation of his own conversion; freedom in every sense of the word.

Revelation of Christ; Conversion; Freedom through Christ; A Shawshank Redemption