MONDAY, JUNE 19th:
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with every-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
We all wear many faces and play many roles in our lives. We are mothers, sisters, fathers, brothers, daughters, sons, grandparents, grandchildren, writers, teachers, secretaries, chauffeurs, nurses, comforters, encouragers, singers, and ministers to name a few.
As we go about the tasks in our lives, who is it that others see when they observe us? Do they see hardworking individuals who are successful in what they do? Do they see smiles of joy, frowns of discontent, or the pain of depression? Can people tell we belong to the King when they observe our lives?
If our lives reflect the love the Heavenly Father instills in us with His own love, others will see Him in everything we do. Yet, we are human, and we sometimes express ourselves in ways that may not be the best examples of Christian behavior. However, God can take those moments and use them to help us teach others about God’s love and forgiveness.
As the verse says, we are being transformed, and it’s not a one-step immediate transformation. It takes years of refining through the valleys and disappointments. Transformation comes through trials and sufferings when He is honing us and teaching us how to be His vessels.
Through it all, we can hold fast to His promises and expect only great things as a result of pain and loss. Seek His face and let Him remove the veil and reveal the reflection that comes from the glory of the Lord in our lives.
Heavenly Father, help me this week to be a true reflection of Your love and mercy in my life despite the hardships and grief or because of the joys You have bestowed.
MONDAY, JUNE 5th:
Our pastor
spoke about our "bios" again and said something that really stuck with me.
He asked how we were going to finish our race in life. He pointed out
several men Paul commended for their faithfulness. Then our Sunday school
lesson was on Job, who fulfilled God's expectations by being faithful to the
end. That brought to mind this verse. I hope it means as much to you as you
run your race as it does to me.
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may
finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task
of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)
Throughout life, many men and women have been told as young people or
children that they didn't have what it takes to succeed in life. Even
Michael Jordan was cut from his freshman high school basketball team. And he
probably wasn't the best player on the team in high school or in college at
North Carolina, but he persevered to his task.
We may start out slow, but it's how we finish the race that will count in
the long run. When we became a Christian, we didn't know everything we
needed to live a life for Christ. We had to learn by reading the Scriptures
and praying for God's leadership.
In our careers, we start out just wanting to write, usually without
knowing more than the basics. We study and learn and hone our craft until we
find an editor willing to take a chance. Even then, success isn't insured.
Even if we find fame as a writer, it is worth nothing if we haven't kept up
with our "race" in life.
In the end, all that counts is what we've done to honor God and bring Him
glory. If we finish our race in life with accolades from man for our
successes, but don't have him as our cornerstone, then we will fall short at
the finish line. However, if we run our race for the prize of the high
calling of God, then our success will be far greater than anything we could
ever imagine. It's not how we start, but how we finish that is more
important.
Heavenly Father, may we run our race today with our eyes on the prize of
Your reward. May we be steadfast and true as we present Your truths through
our lives and in our writing.
