“But we all,
with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of
the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)
with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of
the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)
Momma said,
“Eat your turnip greens and potatoes.” And I replied, “But I
don’t like turnip greens, momma.” And she said, “There are children
in Africa who would love to have this food.” This was my signal to keep
quiet and eat, but I ignored it and said, “Well, momma let’s send it to
them.”
“Eat your turnip greens and potatoes.” And I replied, “But I
don’t like turnip greens, momma.” And she said, “There are children
in Africa who would love to have this food.” This was my signal to keep
quiet and eat, but I ignored it and said, “Well, momma let’s send it to
them.”
When mother finished
the “reality check,” I was transformed. I was convinced that turnip
greens were good for me . . . at least for that meal. In addition, I promised
myself that I would never again tell momma to give my food to the children in
Africa.
the “reality check,” I was transformed. I was convinced that turnip
greens were good for me . . . at least for that meal. In addition, I promised
myself that I would never again tell momma to give my food to the children in
Africa.
Philosopher and
author Simone Weil wrote, “A test of what is real is that it is hard and
rough. Joys are found in it, not pleasure. What is pleasant belongs to
dreams.” There is transforming truth in Weil’s statement. It is the common
sense of the world in which we all live. Hard and rough. Not the proverbial bed
of roses.
author Simone Weil wrote, “A test of what is real is that it is hard and
rough. Joys are found in it, not pleasure. What is pleasant belongs to
dreams.” There is transforming truth in Weil’s statement. It is the common
sense of the world in which we all live. Hard and rough. Not the proverbial bed
of roses.
If everything was
rosy and marvelous here, what incentive would we have to prepare for the
Father’s house? Yet, many Christians seem to ignore Scripture by denying that
hardship and suffering are the Christian’s reality. In 2 Corinthians chapter
four, Paul the Apostle charges us to not “handle the Word of God
deceitfully.”
rosy and marvelous here, what incentive would we have to prepare for the
Father’s house? Yet, many Christians seem to ignore Scripture by denying that
hardship and suffering are the Christian’s reality. In 2 Corinthians chapter
four, Paul the Apostle charges us to not “handle the Word of God
deceitfully.”
As a Christian I do
not deny suffering and hardship as real life, but I do refuse to let the
“hard and rough” destroy my faith and life. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“. . . we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV).
not deny suffering and hardship as real life, but I do refuse to let the
“hard and rough” destroy my faith and life. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“. . . we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV).
So, if
“reality” is measured by how “hard and rough” things are,
then reality measures life’s joys. Our character is formed out of the chaos of
living — dare I say surviving — in our present circumstances. The joy of
victory is better than anything else. The exhilarating joy that floods us when
we overcome economic challenges; overcome career challenges; overcome
relationship challenges; overcome spiritual battles and every other challenge
can not be adequately expressed with words.
“reality” is measured by how “hard and rough” things are,
then reality measures life’s joys. Our character is formed out of the chaos of
living — dare I say surviving — in our present circumstances. The joy of
victory is better than anything else. The exhilarating joy that floods us when
we overcome economic challenges; overcome career challenges; overcome
relationship challenges; overcome spiritual battles and every other challenge
can not be adequately expressed with words.
Will I be defeated?
Beat down? Give up and quit? Can I look at the enemy and say, “Is that all
you got?” The Apostle Paul gives us the proper perspective in 2
Corinthians 4:1-11, but his view of reality flows out of “beholding the
face of our Lord” and reflecting its “transforming glory” by
“the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Beat down? Give up and quit? Can I look at the enemy and say, “Is that all
you got?” The Apostle Paul gives us the proper perspective in 2
Corinthians 4:1-11, but his view of reality flows out of “beholding the
face of our Lord” and reflecting its “transforming glory” by
“the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Dear Father thank
you for the reality we have through Jesus Christ. Stir my joy of living and
enable me to receive the transforming glory of Christ day by day. This I pray
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the reality we have through Jesus Christ. Stir my joy of living and
enable me to receive the transforming glory of Christ day by day. This I pray
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Live real and enjoy
life,
life,