I Want to be a Transformer!
They are already here…
Hiding in plain sight…
Oh yeah. I am more than just a little ready for this movie. This summer our world will be transformed, and no matter what age you are, I predict you'll feel like an 8-year-old getting a rush of child-like wonder as you see the Autobots from Cybertron bring it to the Decepticons.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
So before you label me a bigger geek than you already thought I was, hear me out on this. Yes, I am a tad bit old to play with action figures (although I would love it if my Mustang was like Shia LeBeouf's Camaro), and in fact I admit I was skeptical when I first heard about this film, but then two things transformed my attitude. First I heard that Spielberg directed, then I saw the trailers. About one minute into the ultra slick uber action scenes, I was hooked. (Funny side note: the critics are criticizing Transformers because of a "weak plot"…gee, ya think? That's like being bummed about a roller coaster ride because it didn't help you find your inner child. Thank you, Captain Obvious!)
No, I don't expect this movie to change my life, but you might need to change an article of clothing after you sit through 2 hours and 23 minutes of Action/Adventure/SciFi/Fantasy featuring robots with thousands of parts thrashing the sparks out of each other. Believe me, the jaw dropping action will make you believe Los Angeles is finally getting the metropolitan makeover it's needed since the mid-1980s!
OK, so I guess I am guilty of glaring geek-ness, but I'm just so glad to finally have a summer movie that didn't have so many baffling subplots that you need an interpreter of some type. Seriously, I think Pirates 3 should have sub-titled itself "At Wit's End!"
You know what else? I'm also guilty of not being a Transformer myself.
Say what?
God calls each and every one of us to be transformers. Check out what I mean:
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
See what I mean? We're not talking Autobots and Decepticons here, rather Paul is encouraging us to "shape shift" from the inside out. He asks us to let God transform the way we think from the world's way to His way.
When you think about it, we need transforming, because from birth on we are sinful folks with a sin nature in a world that keeps sinning and sinning and sinning. We have an inner-decepticon that needs the spark thrashed out of it.
Why? Well, take a look at the verse again:
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Paul is saying that unless we're transformed, we'll never really know what God's will is for our lives. We'll just continue to go through life stuck in auto-destruct mode wondering why we feel like we're missing something huge.
Before you were even born, God laid out a good and pleasing and perfect plan that is better than anything we could put together, but the problem is that our sinful ways have blinded us from finding and following that plan. We think the key to happiness is getting everything we want, and that value and worth is found in the way we look, the achievements we earn, or the car we drive. The truth is that these things are just that … things. When God changes the way we think, the plan He has for us shows up on the screen of our lives like a 100 foot robot ready to take on evil and save the planet!
So don't hide in plain sight. Let God transform your mind so you can go transform your world!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Lane Palmer is the Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with to provide resources for youth leaders and students. Dare 2 Share exists to energize and equip teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries or the GameDay youth conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to lane@dare2share.org.
