Romans 12:10  Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. (CSB)

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The Transfer Portal in college athletics feels a bit like a curse. Players come into an athletic program and perform well or show promise, only to disappear and reappear on another team the next year. This is irritating for fans of particular schools. It also may delay or derail an athlete’s development.

The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), Tom Brady, recently spoke about his playing days at the University of Michigan. It took his whole college career to learn the system and the techniques to excel. Brady is concerned the Transfer Portal prevents players from developing their understanding of the game and the necessary skills to play at a high level. 

Similarly, or as well as I can ponder at 5:32 AM, there’s a big difference between the transaction of salvation and true transformation. Individuals reach a point where they place their faith in Jesus for salvation. The sanctification process begins as our Father in Heaven arranges relationships and growth opportunities to deepen our faith, produce Christ-like character, and empower us for wise decision-making and faithful service. We could call this the Transformation Portal.

How do you know you are in the Transformation Portal? This chapter provides a good list of important markers. One that ranks high among them is that you are more interested in honoring others than being honored by others. 

This focus on honoring others is kind of a big deal in our age when it feels like everyone wants way more than their fifteen minutes of fame. All too often, just like little children, people do whatever it takes to gain attention. People seek attention for good things, and people seek attention for bad things. Illustrations are so abundant they do not require listing. 

This verse gives us the character quality God wants to replace such attention-seeking behavior. The Message says it this way:

Be good friends who love deeply; 
practice playing second fiddle. 

As you have probably heard, the hardest instrument to play in the orchestra is second fiddle. 

What a difference it is when we live to shine the light on others rather than ourselves! It builds up the others. It deepens us. 

A big-shot famous guy spoke at an event I attended. He was the most humble of men on stage. He humiliated a man at the autograph session afterward. Some of the attention he was heaping up leaked as the man expressed a simple thought built upon what the Great Man had said in his speech. The poor little guy walked away like a dog with his tail between his legs. 

The Great Man did not honor his lesser companion and former fan. What would have been different if he could have spoken a word of affirmation and encouragement? There might be one more Great Man in our world. 

Some people you will see today need your words of affirmation and encouragement. You can be the Great Man or Great Woman or you can treat the others as if they are Greatness Personified. It’s pretty hard to be and do both. Choose the pathway of Christ-like character. Jesus honored us by loving us so much that he died for us. 

Step into the Transformation Portal. Prepare for positive change. Prepare to empower others. 

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I will step into the Transformation Portal.

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