As I continue to memorize and meditate on your rich and powerful Word, Lord, you continue to transform my being.

There is a growing grasp of your great supply of significance and honor, poured out upon me every day. This is part of an ongoing, deep, transformation that flows from basking in the truth, listening to Scripture telling me that

-- I am yours (Eph 1:3-10),

--that I am with you, treasured by you,

--delighted in by you (Psalm 18),

--invited to join you in your mighty purposes (Eph. 2:10),

-- that you freely and consistently give me worth, belonging and competence (Ephesians 1:18,19).

There is also an ongoing shift away from the fear of man to a fear of God: a desire to please you and a corresponding ability to reject what people think--to be free from their disapproval, their denigration, their disrespect. Your approval is enough to rest in, live in, die in.

Another aspect of this is a better grasp of the joy of being weak, the opportunity to trust you to work where I am without influence, leverage, or power. If I want adventure, trusting you in my weakness is it!

This, combined with the daily reminder that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil, brings me a changed perspective of those who oppose me: a compassionate, forgiving, positive view--even a warmth as I think of them.

Truly, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining on ever more brightly until the full light of day.” Prov. 4:18