Many years ago I had a fear of getting into pride. As I followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, I found that God was doing some amazing things for me and through me. Along the way I received many “promotions” in my sphere of influence and levels of responsibility. With each new promotion I pulled out my Joyce Meyer cassette tapes (I did mention this was many years ago) entitled “No Flesh Shall Glory”. One day as I was pulling out the tapes yet again, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Don’t focus on the pride. Focus on love and you will not fall into pride.” He changed what I was focusing on.

More recently I had another experience that required a change of focus. After years of teaching on love and walking in love, I found it just got easier and easier with every step. Then little by little I noticed it took a little more effort. It took a little more willpower. I assumed that the love “tests” or love “opportunities” were getting harder, so it took more effort than before. Notice anything wrong with these statements?

Willpower? Effort? I was doing it instead of yielding and letting Him do it in me and through me. But how did I get here? It was a slow and subtle process, but my focus had shifted. Little by little I shifted from a focus on Love Himself to focusing on my own behavior. I began trying to manage my own behavior instead of letting Him make me, mold me, strengthen me and help me.

Focus on Love Himself and you will love with His might and His ability. Focus on your own behavior management and you will struggle in your own strength and ability.

Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3, KJV)

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18, Amplified)

Keep looking into the mirror of the Word of God and be transfigured into the Image of Love Himself. That is the source of true transformation.