Transformed by Beholding
Jan 23, 2021 at 6:32 AM
‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)
‘We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.’ (Revised Chinese Union Version)
‘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.’ (KJV)
Each morning, I wake up without joy.
Recently, Shanghai’s sudden pandemic turn has everyone anxious. I’ve been caught up in it too. It’s like being in wartime, just without the visible bombs and smoke. Feels like the end times are near.
When I examine closely, my real worry isn’t about how many people are sick or losing their lives. It’s about my family’s safety, and honestly, more about life not changing, resource scarcity, and economic setbacks. Hardly any focus on life itself.
Lately, I’m also worried about the kids’ education and faith. I’m constantly anxious, striving to arrange everything related to their education perfectly — not a drop of water should leak. Somehow, that seems to offer a moment of peace, “finally, the kids are on the right track.”
The same goes for their faith. As Christian parents, we should lead the kids to God. I know their belief is ultimately God’s work. But their faith growth keeps me worried. This worry is a sign of relying on myself, not God.
Oswald Chambers said, “The distraction of secondary things is the one thing that keeps us from being entirely devoted to God.” Lord, guide me today to let go of these concerns and focus on You, to behold You.
The Israelites were afraid of the glory reflected on Moses’ face and asked him to cover it. Under God’s holy, glorious light, we see our sin, filth, ugliness, and limits.
When comparing with others, we feel ashamed. How much more when comparing ourselves with God? We can’t “reach heaven” or “be with Jesus in paradise.”
No amount of self-discipline or good deeds can fulfill all the law’s demands. We can’t save ourselves from death caused by sin.
Holy, sinless Jesus died for me (us), sinners. Because of this, when God judges, He reckons us, sinners, as sinless. Because Jesus took our sin upon Himself.
Thanks to Jesus, after being saved, I don’t need to fear God’s judgment because of the sin remaining in my thoughts and deeds. No more veils needed.
What freedom!
Before the law, or myself, was a brutal force pressing “an imperfect person to achieve impossible perfection” through personal effort. Failing to reach perfection means death.
Now, by looking to Jesus, the veil is removed, and I gain freedom. The freedom brought by the Spirit of the Lord;
But as soon as I stop looking at Jesus, and start relying on myself, the veil returns, and I’m back to “self-condemnation and despair at failing to meet the law’s demands through good deeds.” No freedom.
Gazing at Jesus grants not just freedom. It also enables me to gradually conform to His holy image. Philippians 3:21: ‘Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.’
My foolish limitations — right now, I can’t naturally stir emotional joy at the potential to “become more like the Lord,” nor treasure it, only intellectually understand it. In my understanding of God, I ask Him to align my emotions too.
Thank God:
- For my friend Jialong, always helping me with any issues in using design software like Sketch and Figma.
- For gifting me with the ability to think about design, and the inspiration that comes with it.
- For the joy my two kids bring me. Even though happiness is just part of everyday life, with conflicts, struggles, and heartbreak too. This is the real picture of relationships between sinners. Thank God! Without God, everything—people, matters, joy, sorrow, pain—would drift away like the wind. What’s the point?