What is a Degree?
Webster defines degree as; “any of a series of steps or stages, as in a process or course of action.” In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 3:16 tells us that when we enter life with Jesus we will begin to change, one-step or one degree at a time.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” ESV …Glory to Glory in the NIV translation.
Yada Writing and Sharing
Sharing in YadaFactor facilitates degrees of change. In many ways it is like climbing a mountain, it is a slow and sometimes challenging process. Change doesn’t always come in the time frame or grandeur that we might be expecting in today’s high-speed 21st century. God’s ways are not our ways, and He doesn’t need the transformation; we do.
God’s ultimate goal is to make us into the image of His Son. He wants to transform our thoughts, behaviors, desires, and attitudes to reflect Himself. Jesus’s desire was to love the Father and obey His commands.
Yada meetings are the time and place we take serious our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. Sharing from our journals in Yada helps us to identify sins and gives us an opportunity to confess them. Writing enables us to capture subtle nuances of God insights we would otherwise miss. Processing out loud can help us see our part in any life situation so we can take personal responsibility for what God is teaching us.
Personally
God is dealing with my tongue, and what comes out of it at times. Recently in a Yada meeting, my YadaSister had the courage to gently ask me, “Are you frustrated? Do you know where this anger is coming from right now?” I hated that moment! At the time I didn’t know why I was feeling frustrated; but she nailed it. I couldn’t answer her. All I wanted to do was run and hide or just stay angry. But after 12 years of sharing in Yada and building safe intimacy with friends, you learn that you must vulnerably “go through” the pain of change, in faith, rather than run from it. Later that evening and continuing into the next day, I had to deal with the real feelings behind the frustrations and take it to God. I listened and He lead the way to another degree of healing.
God Met Me
He reminded me that He is making me into His image. He revealed a specific wound of rejection deep inside, that had nothing to do with what was happening on the surface, yet everything to do with what was going on in my heart. God spoke with love and discipline through Proverbs 10. His Word encouraged prayer, change and more confession. He reminded me of what He had said to me two weeks prior. “ I am changing you from glory to glory, one degree of glory at a time.” This degree of change was arrived at only when I shared my writing in group and a YadaSister was inspired to ask a perceptive God question.
One Degree Today and Another Tomorrow
Each day we get to decide if we will take a step toward God or run. We chose the direction. God has something for us at the top of life’s mountains, but the goal is to know Him more with each step. The path to Him is His Word to us daily. He is guiding and speaking. Hearing Him changes us. Which direction are you walking in today? Who are you listening to? Ask God. Write something. Then share it. He will transform your life one step at a time!
Please Jesus change us one degree at a time, give us courage to move closer to you one step at a time. And help us do this just for today. Amen
