During our family’s years living in Asia, we had the opportunity to help new global workers as they adapted to the language and culture of our country. We witnessed over a hundred workers come and go over the years, moving painstakingly through the process we called Becoming. This Becoming involved letting go of some of their previous identity as people of their passport countries, ready to understand and be understood by those to whom they had come to serve and, ultimately, share Christ with.  

It was not always an easy process. But it was a rewarding one, and a fascinating one to watch. One particularly interesting phenomenon was the ability of some to pick up on and eventually take on characteristics of the host country. My favorite was the utterance “uh-uh,” which, on our island actually signaled the affirmative! This is not something that could be taught per-se, but rather seemed to come naturally to those who had spent a significant amount of time with the local people.  

Global workers like this had Become. They were being transformed. Simply from being with the people. 

Of course, there were hours upon hours of effort poured into language study and analysis, but this was no replacement for the element of time spent, shoulder to shoulder, in observance and in participation with the people. 

I am encouraged as I read Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians, reminded that my transformation, spiritually speaking, comes from simply beholding the Lord’s glory. Time spent in His Word, in prayer, beholding His glory and reflecting on His goodness, will work to transform my heart to be more like His. 

Oh how I desire that His glory would transform me as I spend time with Him! What a thought—that He will transform me as I sit in His presence, that I can choose to submit to this greatest of all Becomings!  

It matters where I look, where I spend my time. I become what I behold. May my life reflect Him more each day as I sit at His feet and rest in His transforming work!