A Transformed Heart

Most of us seem to have this innate desire to change. We think things can always be better; better job, more money, newer house. We think we can look better, feel better; get more, do more, be more. We usually think its just a matter of will and discipline. If we can just make a stronger commitment, be more disciplined, a new resolution, so to speak. This approach does not work for me. Never has, never will.
For me change has to come from a deeper desire. It comes from within myself while at the same time an outside source. I have tried to change wanting to make things better for self, but self hasn't cooperated.
Things began to change for me when I came to a realization that I am not the center of the universe. This life I live is not designed for my pleasure and comfort. It's not all about me. I think most of us have a tendency to put ourselves on the throne. The world should exist to serve me, please me and meet my needs. Until we can develop the ability to see beyond ourselves we are doomed to an existence of disappointment. We are trying to live a life we were not meant to live. We don't fit into the puzzle of reality.
I'm likely considered to be a bit of a dinosaur in today's secular world. We live in a society that considers itself much to enlightened to believe in a sovereign God who is in total control of all things.
Postmodernism, Naturalism and Relativism seem to be the hot topics of the day. A belief that what we can perceive through our natural senses is all that exists; all else is sheer fantasy. A belief that truth is relative "what is true for you, what is true for me". There are no absolute truths. Then there is the belief that we are all inherently good but being products of our environment we are.. somehow corrupted, "damaged goods" so to speak. This all sounds very good. It relieves us from being responsible for our own behavior. It frees us from the need to take a stand for absolute truth.
There-in lies the problem. There is absolute truth; any clear thinking person can see this. We are responsible for our own behavior regardless of mitigating factors. We live in a broken world. We are a world of people, many of whom live in rebellion toward our Creator, refusing to put ourselves in submission to an all powerful, all knowing, ever present, righteous, just, loving, caring, compassionate, merciful God.
We have a tendency to think we are in control of our lives when in reality we are in control of very little. We are basically slaves to our circumstances. We can try to get a good education and work hard to better ourselves and there is nothing wrong with that but we are never really ever a complete   until we place ourselves in submission to a loving God who wants what is best for us. We may not agree with His methods and think we can do a better job ourselves but we have to come to a realization of who is really in control. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God tells us" For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Food for thought.