To Morph or to be Transformed?

The Flatirons are rock formations near Boulder, Colorado consisting of, well, flat irons. According to my sources...there are five large, numbered, Flatirons ranging from north to south (First though Fifth, respectively) along the east slope of Green Mountain, and the term "The Flatirons" sometimes refers to these five alone. Numerous additional named Flatirons are on the southern part of Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and among the surrounding foothills. The Flatirons were named by pioneer women after the flat, metal irons used to press their clothes.


My family recently visited Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado and I was struck by how similarly flat and individually distinguished they were.

When I was looking at these peaks, each one so different, I could also see their similarities and thought about my daughters (both with their own similarities and differences) and a recent conversation with Bella about her older sister. She was saying that she seems to be copying an older friend of hers...how she emulates everything this person does. From what she wears to what she watches on tv to what she drinks at Starbucks! I told her it sounds like she's morphing! And she agreed and said, "I will never be a morpher! I like being different!" I told her that was a good thing, but that sometimes we all tend to morph others that we admire and that it's ok to have similar tastes, but it's also important to be an individual and unique. The funny thing is that Bella has always loved change and is more eclectic in her tastes and Gabby loves routine and predictability. I got a girl who likes to be on the go and another who is a homebody...they are 2 unique peas in a pod!

These Flatirons have a lot of similarities...they are all flat, and seem to be going in the same direction, and are part of the same mountain range. They are also different...some of the peaks are taller and wider than the others, some seem to be more jagged, others more smooth. A lot like people! We all have distinguishing marks about us, but we are all human beings. 

If you are a follower of Christ, we are called to be different than the rest of the world...

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:3 (NIV Translation)

In other words, as the New Living Translation further explains, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."


Just as those Flatirons are part of one body, so we are part of one body...but called to stand out from the rest of the world and be reflections of Christ. It's easy to morph like the rest of the world--it's more accepting and safer. You can blend in and not be seen. It's a much more difficult task to be unique and to emulate Christ's character and not what the world characterizes. To be transformed, renewed, following God's will...that takes a whole lot more concentration, but by being so, you will live life to it's fullest, with purpose, to bring praise and honor and glory to the One who gives us Life!


The other day I took Bella to Starbucks and I asked her what her sister might want to drink so we could take it to her. She said, "She wants the same thing she always gets Mommy...she's merging!" I said, "You mean she's morphing?" She replied, "Oh, yeah, that word!"




You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. ~ Rick Warren