We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image . . . —2 Corinthians 3:18
The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.
The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord . . . .”
Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord, Today’s reading confirms something that I’ve been hearing you say recently … That complexity is the enemy of elegant and beautiful solutions. So “Keep It Simple” is a good motto. I heard instructions for the Christian Life reduced down to 4 words at the men’s retreat last week, “Glorify God, Serve People” There seems to be value in distilling a complex thing, like a Christian Life, down to it’s most basic form … so that we can make sure that those monumental basics are getting attended to, and not being squeezed out by “other things” that may be important but are less essential.
Prayer: Lord, help me today to stay focused on you … so that I become a mirror to those around who will look at me and see you.
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