the beauty of B E CO M I N G

​In one of my college classes, one of my professors shot off a statistic mid lecture about how unlikely it is for humans to change in adulthood. It sounded something like…”you are 75% less likely to change after 21 years of age.” He confidently proceeded to say, “in other words who you are now is who you will be in 50 years”.  Yikes. 

He kept going and it got infinitely more personal as he lifted his left index finger and pointed to me: “So researches are saying that who Jen is now, her cognitive abilities, emotional health, moral compass, all of it will be exactly the same when she’s 71”. Not only was my professor presenting this shocking research article to a young class of dreamers, but he picked ME to be the example of an unchangeable 21-year-old already finished product.
 
I was boiling under my skin and I could feel the pounding of my heart that murderously screamed within me, “OH NO YOU DIDN’T! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? THERE IS MORE FOR ME TO BECOME..”
 
Six years later, I would like to say that I have proved him wrong; and I believe I have done just that. 
 
It is very true that research shows once a person hits 18, it is difficult to change certain neurological pathways. I am certainly not arguing against that. However, we don’t have to settle for our instinctive emotions, behaviors, and mental narratives. We don’t have to accept our current state if where we are is outside of the destiny, the promise, or the fullness that God has for us. I believe that as seasons come and go, we should continually be becoming.
 
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. “  2 Corinthians 3:18

Friend, take a deep breathe and remind yourself today that you are in the midst of your “becoming” season. It is a messy and beautiful season with fullness waiting on the other side. And that fullness is not only the fullness of God and who He is; it is also the fullness of who He made YOU to be. As you come closer to the fullness of God, you also come closer to the fullness of who you are. 
 
Don’t stop reaching for character growth. Don’t use the excuse “this is just who I am”. Don’t stop believing that the best is yet to come! Don’t stop becoming all He has made you to be. If you continue through this “becoming” season, I guarantee you will discover things about yourself you never would have dreamed of. 
 
It’s who you are becoming today that determines who you will be tomorrow.

So, who do you want to be tomorrow?  Go become that person today.