In God is where our identity is found. It is pleasing, beautiful, and glorious as we bear His image.
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
There have been times in my life where I felt the desire in my heart to just bless those around me with something special, no matter the circumstance. When I left high school, I wrote all my friends a personal letter expressing well wishes and fond memories we shared. My relationship with some of them was strained in the last year and most of us drifted apart, but the love I felt for all of them was real and I couldn't contain it. When I gave each one a letter, they looked so surprised and undeserving. But the look on their faces once reading it was one I'll never forget. It was a look of feeling valued, thought-of, special, and truly loved. They didn't expect anything and some knew the hurt that they had caused, but they received a letter expressing my love, appreciation, and cherishing thoughts of them. It made them smile so much! It gave them hope and encouragement in who they are and what they could be.
Jesus showed us this very thing on the Cross. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), but Jesus loved us so much that He entered this world as a human, He died a sinner's death as a sinless man to take upon Himself the punishment we were to take, and He rose again offering us a free gift of eternal life in fellowship with Him. This Good News that the Holy Spirit has enlightened our hearts with, makes us unique, set-apart, and in relationship with God. We got given a letter of reconciliation with Him through Jesus, and that letter speaks of His love for us, our value and worth in Him, and our life of purpose and belonging in His Kingdom. This is the great love letter that never changes. We didn't expect it or deserve it, but God created us for the very purpose of being loved by Him, and He couldn't let us just slip away. We are no longer justified by the law, but by His Spirit that lives within us!
Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3
In life we tend to lose sight of Jesus. We become so caught up in our problems and relationships that we begin to drift away from God, from His purpose for us, and from our identity in Him. We begin to look at the worldly things before us, instead of at God, who is above us, around us, before and behind us, and within us (Deut 31:8; Col 3:2)! When we are looking at these things that disturb our peace, that rob us of our joy, and make us doubt who we are, we lost sight of the One who gives us peace, who strengthens us with joy, and births forth who He is in our lives. We can't look at God through the peephole of our problems, because if we do we fail to see God's goodness, we fail to see Him. If we look to Jesus, and we just be, we begin to really see God's abundant grace and love for us. We see God, and in that we find ourselves.
God's goodness will never change - He is everything good and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We have to learn to trust Him. When we become the judge to determine good from evil, right from wrong, and our will from His will, we ultimately defeat the very purpose of our faith. We limit God from working in our lives. But when we make Christ the judge, we are announcing His work at the Cross and why that work was so good! We were saved while we were still filthy and dirty in our sin, and by His holy blood and broken body, we are made beautiful, pure, and washed completely clean. We are made a new creation to be loved and moved by His love.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
As adopted children into His family, we now carry God's DNA in our veins. We are declared a holy nation, royal priests, and God's very own possession (1 Peter 2:9). We now have the ability to be like-minded with Jesus, to be encouraged by His love, tenderness, compassion, and to be one with Him (Philippians 2:2). We begin to share His attitude which is humble, obedient to God, and a living sacrifice, so that His goodness is revealed to the evil world, His love can heal broken hearts, and His life magnified as one worthy of all praise, honour, and glory. That's what makes us beautiful. We are brought back to communion with God, back to relationship, and back to being loved - our very reason for life. We are beautiful because the One living in us is beautiful.
I encourage you beautiful friend, to keep seeking God above every circumstance. Look in the mirror and remind yourself of the family you belong to, of the unwavering beauty of the Spirit living in and through you, and of the life called in love you are living! Life is hard but you are not in it alone - God will never leave you! He has written your name on the palm of His hands and nothing can ever erase it (Isaiah 49:16). The great love letter is written on your heart as you receive this message of Christ! Your face shines with the glory of God, and the more we seek His Spirit and allow Him to transform us, the more we are changed into His glorious image. We are His ambassadors and we bear His Name. Never stop shining Jesus! Amen!
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7
Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Lord, thank You for revealing who You are to me, so that I may find rest in who I am in You. Thank You for Your Word that declares how good You are and that in my life You transform me into Your image so that in all things You are glorified, Your face is seen, and many may come to know You. Thank You that as I bear Your image I am comforted by Your love, by hope, and by faith, that will last forever! May You continue nurturing Your children so that we may experience complete rest in You as we await Your return. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Wow so beautiful Amber❤️❤️❤️❤️🌺