Transformed by Creation: Joy's Story

I’m excited today to share the first of seven stories with you in a little mini-series here at Sitting Still.

Romans 12:1 says, “Don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Last week I wrote about how Scripture can powerfully change us and four fun ways that I’ve been experiencing transformation in my life.

I asked for your stories about ways the Lord is changing you, and seven people generously shared their experiences with me. I’m blessed to count each one as a friend and have seen the power of God’s Spirit working so beautifully in them.

As I read their stories, I knew you would enjoy them too, so I’m turning this request for a few thoughts into a small mini-series: seven friends sharing how the Lord has transformed their lives in unique ways.

And I’ll be sharing them with you in the coming weeks, so we can grow and be inspired together. I hope you’ll be blessed by their words. You may even discover a new way to experience transformation. I sure have.

I’m happy to introduce you to my friend Joy Elick.

Joy and her husband, and one of their two sons, live next to Cottage Grove Lake near Cottage Grove, Oregon.

A farm girl at heart, she enjoys raising chickens, pigs and rabbits with her family on their ten acres, as well as gardening, writing and photography.

Since moving to the country, she is learning how to make space for quiet times alone with God in nature through solitary walks, moments of stillness, conversational prayer and journaling.

Here’s Joy’s story of being "Transformed by Creation"

The practice that is helping transform my mind in these troubled times has to do with choosing the perspective through which I experience my world.

Colossians 3:2-3 says, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

I am incredibly blessed to live by a stunning blue lake. Surrounding the lake are evergreen covered hills. On one particularly high hill stands a tall mound of trees much higher than the rest.

From a distance, this cluster of tall trees appears to form the shape of a crown. I call this hilltop place "God's throne," because it's where I like to set my gaze when I sit by the water to talk to God, which I have found myself doing often during this difficult season.