Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:17-18
I am amused often at how certain subject matter or thoughts are dropped in my spirit and especially in the manner it which it comes to provide me with an example as to the way it’s meant to be understood. It's in these times that I am undeniably sure that the God we serve has a sense of humor by the analogy of the thought and how it relates to reality... just everyday occurrences. As soon as I got the thought, I remembered not only where I heard the quote but the story behind the quote. Immediately I smiled and said, “Lord, you wow me!”
The story, summarized, goes like this: Two people meet randomly, both exhausted from their day;from totally different backgrounds and localities and they talk for hours. It started as informal conversation and blasé glances, looking into the face of the other periodically as they listened intently to each others story. One, was feeling rejected, hurt, disgusted, and just angry from the recent seemingly tragic event of her life. However, on the outside, appearing to be a pillar of strength as if nothing was wrong; as she was losing her husband to divorce. The other was living in their circumstance for over a year but had learned to cope with his tragic and heartbreaking event. He was thankful for love, appreciative for the opportunity, and grateful just to be able to spend time and have another moment, wishing he had a little piece to hold on to, as he was losing his wife to cancer. After this encounter, both lives were changed; each going back to their separate lives, both able to reflect on the strengths of the others vantage point; both sympathetic and compassionate about the other and the hand they had each been dealt presently. Honestly, when you think about it, it is not the hand you’ve been dealt that matters, but what and how you deal with that hand. The story ends with a letter being sent expressing how the meeting on that evening had given him new perspectives and he knew that he could live again. No meeting is ever by happenstance. His last words in the letter were, “… and if we never speak again, you’ve changed my life.”
What an impact this story has on a natural and spiritual level; it might not be your story but it’s saying that we each have a story and each of us is dealing with something. By looking at a person, we can never know one’s story. Maybe they give the appearance of being a pillar of strength on the outside but on the inside they are hurting or barely hanging on by a thread. We sometimes get in our own little world and forget that others are going through things as well and their story could be much worse than anything we are dealing with or have dealt with. This should cause us to see and think about our situations differently. Most of us are not dealing with anything that is "unto to death." Sometimes, a person (even us) needs someone just to listen to the story … no words necessary, just offering an ear or shoulder without judgment.
This especially holds true, if we have been changed or transformed into the image of God. If we, as the people of God, would have an unveiled (uncovered, nothing hid, exposed) face, beholding (seeing and observing) as in a mirror the glory (majesty) of the Lord, and not only realizing but admitting that He has transformed us into His image, which is the image of God, by way of His Spirit. That we too experience hardship, trials, problems and troubles; life, but it is by His power, by His Spirit that we go from faith to faith and which takes us from glory to glory as we trust Him to see us through. If we are the reflection of God always then we are able to be the strength that others can see and are drawn to and in spite of what they are going through, they can find hope through us.
I want others to see that change in my walk, in my talk, and in my service. I want to make and be a difference in the life of those who cross my path, the ones who I know didn’t just show up by happenstance, there are no chance meetings, but divinely orchestrated meeting by God. We ought to be able to speak a word into to those who need change in their lives by the words of our testimony. The words we speak are very often the words that are needed to be heard.
What a great report that would be to hear that because of how you entreated someone, how you listened, how you helped, how you were willing, how you displayed strength … you’ve changed a life. With every soul that is lead to Christ, God gets the glory. I want others to know and I will proudly say it verbally or write it in a letter; frankly however I can get the word out that (come on and say it with me slowly), “Lord, you’ve changed my life.”
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
I am amused often at how certain subject matter or thoughts are dropped in my spirit and especially in the manner it which it comes to provide me with an example as to the way it’s meant to be understood. It's in these times that I am undeniably sure that the God we serve has a sense of humor by the analogy of the thought and how it relates to reality... just everyday occurrences. As soon as I got the thought, I remembered not only where I heard the quote but the story behind the quote. Immediately I smiled and said, “Lord, you wow me!”
The story, summarized, goes like this: Two people meet randomly, both exhausted from their day;from totally different backgrounds and localities and they talk for hours. It started as informal conversation and blasé glances, looking into the face of the other periodically as they listened intently to each others story. One, was feeling rejected, hurt, disgusted, and just angry from the recent seemingly tragic event of her life. However, on the outside, appearing to be a pillar of strength as if nothing was wrong; as she was losing her husband to divorce. The other was living in their circumstance for over a year but had learned to cope with his tragic and heartbreaking event. He was thankful for love, appreciative for the opportunity, and grateful just to be able to spend time and have another moment, wishing he had a little piece to hold on to, as he was losing his wife to cancer. After this encounter, both lives were changed; each going back to their separate lives, both able to reflect on the strengths of the others vantage point; both sympathetic and compassionate about the other and the hand they had each been dealt presently. Honestly, when you think about it, it is not the hand you’ve been dealt that matters, but what and how you deal with that hand. The story ends with a letter being sent expressing how the meeting on that evening had given him new perspectives and he knew that he could live again. No meeting is ever by happenstance. His last words in the letter were, “… and if we never speak again, you’ve changed my life.”
What an impact this story has on a natural and spiritual level; it might not be your story but it’s saying that we each have a story and each of us is dealing with something. By looking at a person, we can never know one’s story. Maybe they give the appearance of being a pillar of strength on the outside but on the inside they are hurting or barely hanging on by a thread. We sometimes get in our own little world and forget that others are going through things as well and their story could be much worse than anything we are dealing with or have dealt with. This should cause us to see and think about our situations differently. Most of us are not dealing with anything that is "unto to death." Sometimes, a person (even us) needs someone just to listen to the story … no words necessary, just offering an ear or shoulder without judgment.
This especially holds true, if we have been changed or transformed into the image of God. If we, as the people of God, would have an unveiled (uncovered, nothing hid, exposed) face, beholding (seeing and observing) as in a mirror the glory (majesty) of the Lord, and not only realizing but admitting that He has transformed us into His image, which is the image of God, by way of His Spirit. That we too experience hardship, trials, problems and troubles; life, but it is by His power, by His Spirit that we go from faith to faith and which takes us from glory to glory as we trust Him to see us through. If we are the reflection of God always then we are able to be the strength that others can see and are drawn to and in spite of what they are going through, they can find hope through us.
I want others to see that change in my walk, in my talk, and in my service. I want to make and be a difference in the life of those who cross my path, the ones who I know didn’t just show up by happenstance, there are no chance meetings, but divinely orchestrated meeting by God. We ought to be able to speak a word into to those who need change in their lives by the words of our testimony. The words we speak are very often the words that are needed to be heard.
What a great report that would be to hear that because of how you entreated someone, how you listened, how you helped, how you were willing, how you displayed strength … you’ve changed a life. With every soul that is lead to Christ, God gets the glory. I want others to know and I will proudly say it verbally or write it in a letter; frankly however I can get the word out that (come on and say it with me slowly), “Lord, you’ve changed my life.”
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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