Re-Evaluating my Goal

Re-evaluating My Goal
by Karen Porter

A friend spoke at a recent conference. Her presentation was deep, thoughtful, and resonated in the hearts of the women in the giant auditorium. I had spoken earlier that morning. My presentation was light; the crowd laughed and applauded and enjoyed the fun.

As I listened to my friend share the deep truths of discipleship and love in the story of Mary and Martha, I felt a twinge of doubt and a touch of shame. I had made them laugh, but she had made them think and think deeply.

Later, I expressed my ache to be more like her. She said, “God built us to be different, so be yourself, just don’t hide behind the laughter.”

Since that day, I’ve been working through the question: what is my goal as a speaker and author. Is it entertainment? Is it imparting knowledge? Is it building name recognition? Is it selling more books or getting more speaking engagements? What is the motivation to spend hours on a plane, sleep in strange hotels, and eat on the run?

The answer is: I’ve been changed by the power of Jesus and I want to see others changed. So I’ve re-set my goal as transformation. I want to see people changed in a deep and lasting way. Real change that doesn’t wear off after the excitement of a conference or retreat dims.

Transformed People Transform People

Paul and Silas were in the prison at midnight (Acts 16). The charges were a farce. It wasn’t fair they in the innermost dungeon in chains.

The dungeon was a whining place—the perfect situation for crying “Why me?” But not for Paul and Silas; they prayed and praised God. The language indicates they sang the Pascal Psalms (Ps 113-118, 136)—the Psalms of highest praise typically sung at Passover. These songs are the Great Hallal—the hymns of greatest joy!

Let’s stop right there. Roll that last thought in your mind again: they are in the worst kind of place yet they sang the songs of great joy.

How did Paul and Silas come to that point? Why did thanksgiving, praise, worship, and joy come out in the worst situation? Because they had been transformed. Paul was a murderous villain until transformation on the road to Damascus. Silas followed Jesus out of an obscure life to play a prominent role in the early church. They were changed and their joyous response to a terrible situation proved it.

Then the most amazing thing happened: the prisoners and the jailor listened. The language indicates they were mesmerized (as in sitting on the edge of your seat). Everyone was transformed because two guys had been transformed.

I’ve discovered that God is not the God of tweaks; He is the God of transformation.

He changes people. My transformation was radical and thorough. What about yours? If you live and speak and write from your transformation, others will be changed too.

Transformation is our message. It may be transformation of hearts, marriages, leaders, physical health, children’s lives, or spiritual disciplines but transformation is our goal. I’ll still use humor and fun because that’s the way God built me. I have asked God to help me not care if they remember my name but to care if they are changed by the message.

I’ve reevaluated and focused on transformation as my goal, I hope you will too.
I’d love to hear about your transformation. Email me at kaeporter@gmail.com