FICTION OR FACT?

Do “The Transformers” fall under the category of fiction or fact? The answer depends on how you look at this question.

If your mind immediately resorts to memories about “The Transformers” as those action adventure, sci-fi, children’s cartoon series that was introduced in 1984, a series that prompted many children to plead with their parents, including yours truly, to purchase the Transformer toys that Hasbro and Takara sold, you will answer “Fiction!” Some of you who were children in those years, and you know a lot about the Autobots and the Decepticons, the two warring factions of alien robots who could change from gigantic creatures into everyday vehicles and other objects. I’m guessing some of you are revisiting the past in your minds right now, and you are correctly naming some of the fictitious characters in your thoughts. Tell the truth now! Back in the day you were not glued to a personal computer or an iPad, not a Game Boy, or a Play Station. No, you were busy representing the good robots and putting forth the energy to defeat the bad robots. The simulated battles that you fought with your toys represented a conflict that had gone on for ages. You were determined to be victorious in the fictious classes fought on your living room or family room floor that was covered with shag carpet. (Smile!)

If you answered “Fact,” I’m sure your thoughts focused on the battle between good and evil or the process by which people of all ages, ethnicities, and nations of origin, including men, women, boys, and girls have waged war with the deceptive enemies named “Satan,” “Self,” and the “Secular World.” This battle, or shall we say war, is ongoing, and it is real! It’s a fact!

To be successful against our enemies, we must continue to transform year after year, day after day. Remember what Paul wrote Ephesians 6:12? Let me help you. He wrote (KJV), “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The wrestling that the Apostle refers to continues. But just like the fictitious Transformers had help to be victorious in their ongoing daily battles, we too have help in our real-life battles against out relentless opposition. Well, how do we have everyday victories? We know that we have the ultimate victory in Jesus, but what about the everyday battles? Well, I was tempted to just say, “Stay God-conscious and Christ-centered,” something I have tried to instill in readers for the last nine years. But then I said, “I need to answer the question better.” Yet, then again, I thought, “As a matter of fact, I don’t have to answer it at all!  The Bible provides the answer; a specific instruction that will help us be real transformers who can come out the winners no matter which way the opposition shapes itself to try and overcome us.” Look at the verses below. Follow what they say, not just today, but every day. One last thing to say, while we can depend on our Divine source, trusting in the Lord instead of leaning on our own understanding, we can also depend on and support each other. In the case of the fictitious “Transformers,” the battle cry was, “Transformers Unite!” In our real-life battles against our opposition, our battle cry has more words, “I need you and you need me! We are members of one body with Christ as our head!”

Now, don’t start reminiscing too much about your old toy playing days. Instead reach up to your bookshelf and pull out the word of God and get busy transforming!  Have a great day! Be blessed!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 King James Version)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King