Day 4 - Becoming Who I AM

One of the most charming facets of Islam (can I call it charming without appearing condescending??) is the concept of conversion. Islam teaches that all humans are born with an inate desire to know God, and more, with a spirit and soul that longs to return to its creator. The nature of humankind, in Islam, is to revere, and fellowship with, its Creator. When a person embraces Islam, then, they are simply reverting to their natural state, that of being in relationship with God.

Convert v.:

1. To change (something) into another form, substance, state, or product; transform
2. To change (something) from one use, function, or purpose to another; adapt to a new or different purpose
3. To persuade or induce to adopt a particular religion, faith, or belief
4. To exchange for something of equal value

Conversion requires a complete change - from who you are and who you have been until now to who you should be. Conversion in most religions requires abandoning who you were and becoming a new person altogether. Convert means changing your chemical makeup.

... like maybe this:

becoming this:

 

Revert v.:
To return to a former condition, practice, subject, or belief

Reversion means to return to how you were - become who you were. In Islam, you revert to your natural state or relationship with God, and you embrace who you ARE, not who you should be.

What an amazing point of view, because, truly, I was made for relationship with my Creator and with the Universe, and the idea of stripping away everything I think I should be and everything I try to be to please everyone and becoming simply who I AM is a comforting and peaceful prospect. So far, it is the thing that impresses me and touches me most about Islam.

I imagine it something like this:

 

 becoming this:

Does God really want to change us?

...Or does he just want us to be who he made us to begin with?