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I wrote yesterday that Matthew Kelly’s observation on why people don’t read the Bible is that they believe that the Bible will transform them, but they don’t want transformation. It occurred to me while reading The Passion Translation of Psalm 23 that we often think of transformation as negative when it’s really positive.

He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. (Psalm 23.2, 3)

Isn’t restoring and reviving a form of transformation? And who wouldn’t want that? It’s to our advantage to be transformed!

O that my people would once and for all listen to me and walk faithfully in my footsteps, following my ways. Then and only then will I conquer your every foe and tell every one of them, ‘You must go!’…But I will feed you with my spiritual bread. You will feast and be satisfied with me, feeding on my revelation-truth like honey dripping from the cliffs of the high place.” (Psalm 81.13 – 16, Passion Translation)

And God’s primary method of positive transformation is his Word!

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19.7, 8, ESV)