I was sharing photographs of my daughter’s recent graduation with some of my co-workers. My wife had meticulously styled her hair and elegantly applied makeup to her face. Looking resplendent in her cap and gown, her face was beaming with excitement for the grand day.
“My goodness!” one of them exclaimed. “She is looking more and more like your wife with each passing year!”
Indeed! I beamed with pride as I also noticed the resemblance. It was not just her outward appearance, her inner strength radiated the same fortitude and tenacity that my wife possesses. It was a gradual change, one that I could readily observe only with the passage of time measured in months and years. As I reflected upon this, I was reminded of a challenge by a pastor who once asked his congregation, “Are you more like Jesus than you were last week?”
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
A wise man once stated, “If you don’t move forward, sooner or later you begin to move backward.” When I confessed and repented of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, God, the Holy Spirit, supernaturally entered into me and began the transformation, sanctifying me to become more like Jesus Christ. I didn’t initially feel any different but with time, subtle but discernible changes were evident. It has not always been a straight upward trajectory but God has been faithful to me, even when I have been unfaithful to Him. God does not give me a time frame and if I grow impatient with my progress, or others cannot see the transformation in my life, it is the direct result of my disobedience and unwillingness to submit to God’s will, not a failure of God to keep His promise to me.
More like Jesus? This is God’s promise to me and everyone who place their faith in Jesus Christ. And God’s Word can never be broken.
Amen!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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