Made

In 2002 MTV launched a television program called Made.  The show’s official Facebook page describes it in this way:

Why stand on the sidelines watching others live your dream? Are you too shy or think you're not "cool" enough to get in on the action? Or do you simply lack the self-confidence and motivation? Well, maybe it's time to stand up and get MADE! It goes on to say this: If you want to be MADE? Send us a video telling us why!

For thirteen seasons the show documented the lives of teenagers as they were made into everything from ballet dancers and rappers to BMX bikers and beauty pageant contestants.  They were made under the direction of an expert in that area of interest, a coach.  As much as those teens wanted to be made, the process of reaching their goal was difficult and hard fought many would want to give up and argued vehemently with their coaches.  Some would quit but through the patience and persistence of their coaches partnered with family and friends, a good support system, they went on to reach their goal of being made. 

I watched the show off and on for a few of its thirteen seasons but it wasn’t until recently I correlated the show’s concept with being a Christian.  When you accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life it begins the process of being made.  Instead of being made into a ballet dancer or a BMX biker as a Christian you are being made into Christ. (Philippians 2:5-6) Jesus said in John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. As you are being made you have an expert coach, too, just as those many teens did. His name is Holy Spirit.  No one can whip a new believer into shape and transform them into a little Christ like Holy Spirit can!  This particular being made process is equally difficult, really, even more so.  (Philippians 1:29, Matthew 5:10, Luke 6:22)   What believers have as coach that those teens didn’t is the Comforter.  <Note to self: Insert worship break here> 

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple Luke 14:27.  Can’t you just hear your pre-made friends telling you to save yourself and come down from the cross?  You know, the ones who remind you of how much you used to hang out and party.  The friends who either think you’re going through a phase and are waiting for you to fall or the ones who walk away from you because you have made a decision to be made, truly transformed and committed to put on Christ.  Any of those things can be enough to tempt you to give up and turn away from your coach and quit the made process.  Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

What is being made?  Do you remember when it was popular to wear bracelets with WWJD on them?  Well, instead of asking what would Jesus do ask yourself what did Jesus do. He was baptized by John the Immerser. He was filled with the Holy Ghost.  He was severely tempted by Satan and afterwards ministered to by angels.  Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  He preached repentance and the kingdom of heaven and in the process of doing so his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them, Matthew 4:24.  Greater works shall you do also!  Do you need another worship break? Go ahead then and get slain in the spirit.  Tell God how much you love him and are thankful for His mercy.  Hallelujah!

Being made is being in the midst of the battle between the law of the mind and the law of sin.  Paul said it best in Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  This coming from a mighty man of God, the constant fight to bring the flesh under submission.  It is also not being conformed to this world: but being transformed (made) by the renewing of the mind.  It is proving what is good, acceptable, perfect, and the will of God.  (Romans 12:2).  Don’t get weary in well doing.  The Comforter is with you. 

You were created in His image and likeness.  Being made is embracing that and operating from the kingdom position you were created for, teaching and preaching the kingdom of God.  In that position you can approach the throne of grace boldly. (Hebrews 4:16)  Being made is your all access pass to Father through Jesus Christ who intercedes on our behalf.  My God! Being made is acknowledging that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and then knowing He intercedes on your behalf!  Okay?  I’m going to die for YOUR SINS and then once I am resurrected and ascended into heaven I am going to be an advocate for you to the Father.  Talk about foolish things to shame the wise!  What an utterly ridiculous concept! In no way does that make logical sense but my spirit is rejoicing because it is so.  Verily, verily I say unto you MADE, written in the book of life of the Lamb!

 Like they said in the show “I want to be made!”