Transformation vs. Change

 by Flora Slosson Wuellner

Change refers to adaptation, reaction, without necessarily involving any newness of being.  Transformation involves much more than mere adaptation to outer manipulation.  Transformation implies new being, a new creative energy flowing from the center which acts with creative power upon surrounding events.  When Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God, he used many symbols of transformation: growing plants, the action of the yeast within the dough, marriage, the act of birth, the action of fire, light, and wind.  When Paul spoke of our rebirth in Christ, he spoke of the transformation as a new creation:  “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new” (2 Cor. 5:17, NRSV).  This is what is offered by God through Christ: transformation, new creation rather than change, growing from our deep center, expanding our empowered freedom even in the midst of the power of outer events.  When our inner selves waken, stretch, stand up, move out, make choices, our terror of change becomes the hunger, thirst, and ecstasy of growing.